Question

How does the speed of sound in a medium vary on changing the temperature ?

Answer 1

Dear Student,

A medium, such as air or gas, has molecules which are in constant random motions and possess kinetic energies. Sound propagates as a disturbance (or energy) through a medium where the molecules collide with each other and propel the 'sound information' further. The velocity with which these molecules move and impart energy depends upon the temperature. More temperature would mean higher kinetic energies (or velocities), sound disturbance thus can be transferred on the other molecule much quicker. This means speed of sound would therefore increase with increase in temperature.

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