Question

How is the speed of sound in air affected by the temperature of air?

• A. no effect.
• B. decreases with the increase in temperature.
• C. increases with the increase in temperature.
• D. data insufficient

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

increases with the increase in temperature.

Temperature affects the speed of sound by changing the density of the medium in which a sound wave travels. In most cases, when the temperature of a medium increases so does the speed of sound through that medium.
Sound waves require a medium in order to travel. A medium can be a solid, liquid, or a gas such as air. The speed of sound depends on both the elasticity and density of the medium. When the elasticity increases and density decreases of a medium, sound is allowed to travel faster. Higher temperatures lower the density of a medium, which puts less resistance on the sound waves and allows the sound to travel faster.