Question

Does the speed of sound increase or decrease on a hotter day? Justify.

Answer 1

1. Temperature is also a condition that affects the speed of sound.
2. Heat, like sound, is a form of kinetic energy. Molecules at higher temperatures have more energy, thus they can vibrate faster.
3. Since the molecules vibrate faster, sound waves can travel more quickly.
4. The speed of sound in room temperature air is 346 meters per second.
5. This is faster than 331 meters per second, which is the speed of sound in air at freezing temperatures.

Hence, the speed of sound increases with temperature. So on a hotter day speed of sound is more.