The velocity of sound in air (under normal condition) is
- AOption (a)
332 m/sec
- BOption (b)
3320 m/sec
- COption (c)
30 m/sec
- DOption (d)
320 m/sec
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Correct answer
332 m/sec
Why this answer is correct
The correct answer is 332 m/sec.
Key Points
- The velocity of sound in air under normal conditions (at 0°C and 1 atmospheric pressure) is approximately 332 meters per second (m/s).
- Sound travels faster in denser mediums, and the speed of sound in air increases with the rise in temperature.
- The speed of sound in air is determined using the formula: v = √(γRT/M), where γ is the adiabatic index, R is the universal gas constant, T is the temperature in Kelvin, and M is the molar mass of air.
- At 20°C, the velocity of sound in air increases to approximately 343 m/s.
- The velocity of sound depends on the medium through which it travels and is influenced by the temperature, pressure, and density of the medium.
Additional Information
- 3320 m/sec:
- This option is incorrect as it represents the speed of sound in a solid medium, such as steel, where sound travels much faster than in air due to the higher density and elastic properties of solids.
- The speed of sound in steel is approximately 5000-6000 m/s, depending on its properties.
- 30 m/sec:
- This option is incorrect. A speed of 30 m/s is much slower and does not represent the speed of sound in any common medium.
- It could represent the speed of an object or motion in everyday scenarios, but not sound propagation.
- 320 m/sec:
- This option is close to the correct value but slightly lower. It might be considered an approximation of the speed of sound in air at slightly lower temperatures.
- However, the standard value for the speed of sound at 0°C is precisely 332 m/s.
- Velocity of Sound in Different Mediums:
- The speed of sound varies in different mediums: it is slowest in gases, faster in liquids, and fastest in solids due to differences in density and elasticity.
- For example:
- In water: ~1482 m/s
- In steel: ~5000-6000 m/s
- In air: ~332 m/s at 0°C
- Sound cannot travel in a vacuum because it requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) for propagation.
