Speed of sound in different media, Sonic boom
Speed of sound in different media
Sound propagates through a medium at a finite speed. The sound
of a thunder is heard a little later than the flash of light is seen. Thus, we
can say that the speed of sound with a speed which is much less than the speed
of light.
The speed of sound depends on the type and properties of
the medium through which it travels.
The speed of sound in a particular medium depends on
temperature and pressure of that medium.
The speed of sound decreases when we go from solid to
gaseous state. In any medium as we increase the temperature, the speed of the
sound increases.
For example, the speed of sound in air is 331 ms-1
at 22 0C.
and 344 ms-1 at 22 0C.
the speed of sound at a particular temperature
in various media are listed below:--
|
Speed of sound in different
media at 25 0C |
||
|
State |
Substance |
Speed in m/s |
|
Solids |
Aluminium |
6420 |
|
|
Nickel |
6040 |
|
Steel |
5960 |
|
|
Iron |
5950 |
|
|
Brass |
4700 |
|
|
Glass (Flint) |
2980 |
|
|
Liquids |
Water (Sea) |
1531 |
|
|
Water (distilled) |
1498 |
|
Ethanol |
1207 |
|
|
Methanol |
1103 |
|
|
Gases |
Hydrogen |
1284 |
|
|
Helium |
965 |
|
Air |
346 |
|
|
Oxygen |
316 |
|
|
Sulphur dioxide |
213 |
|
in which of the three media, air, water or iron,
does sound travel the fastest at a particular temperature?
As we know that, the speed of sound decreases when it passes
from solid to gaseous state of a given medium. And in any medium, if the
temperature increases, the speed of sound also increases and vice versa. Thus, speed
of sound of iron is more than the air and water.
Sonic boom
When the speed of any object exceeds the speed of sound, it
is said to be travelling at supersonic speed.
Bullet, jet aircrafts etc. often travel at supersonic
speeds.
When a sound, producing source moves with a speed higher
than that of sound, it produces shock waves in air.
These shock waves carry a large amount of energy. The air
pressure variation associated with this type of shock waves produces a very
sharp and loud sound called the sonic boom.
The shock waves produced by a supersonic
aircraft have enough energy to shatter window glass and even damage buildings.
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