Question

How is velocity of the sound affected due to presence of moisture in air?

Answer 1

The velocity of sound:

1. The velocity of sound in a gas is given by:

$$\begin{gathered} V=\sqrt{\frac{\gamma P}{d}} \\ where\gamma iscons\tan tforagas \\ Pisthepressureofthemedium \\ disthedensityofthemedium \end{gathered}$$

1. From the above formula, we can see that velocity is inversely proportional to the density of the gas.
2. Moisture is the presence of liquid (especially water) in the air. As moisture is introduced into the air, the density of air becomes less.
3. That is, less dense air more the velocity of sound and the denser air the less the velocity.

Hence, the velocity of sound increases as the presence of moisture increases in air.