Speed of Sound Calculator

Speed of Sound Calculator

Speed of sound in water or air can be determined by simply entering the required values in the tool’s designated field.

Speed of Sound in Air

Temperature:

°C ▾

Speed of Sound in Water

Select Unit:

Temperature:

The speed of sound calculator finds the speed at which sound waves travel in a given medium under a specific heat condition. It determines how temperature changes can impact the speed of sound in water or air.

What Is The Speed of Sound?

Speed of sound (in mph) is defined as:

“The distance traveled by sound waves in a given time interval as they propagate through an elastic medium.”

The speed of sound depends on both the temperature and the medium through which it travels. At 20°C, sound waves travel at approximately 343 m/s (1 km in 2.91 s or 1 mile in 4.69 s).

How To Calculate The Speed of Sound?

The speed of sound can be calculated using the formula:

\(v = \sqrt{\frac{\gamma \cdot P}{\rho}}\)

Where:

v = Speed of sound
γ = Heat capacity ratio of the medium (≈ 1.4 for air)
P = Pressure of the medium
ρ = Density of the medium

Speed of Sound in Water:

The speed of sound in water can be calculated using:

\(v = \sqrt{\frac{B}{\rho}}\)

Where:

B = Bulk modulus of elasticity of water
ρ = Density of water

At 20°C, the speed of sound in water is approximately: 1481 m/s, 5332 km/h, 4859 ft/s, or 3313 mph.

Speed of Sound in Air:

Air can be treated as an ideal gas. The speed of sound in dry air under standard atmospheric conditions can be calculated using:

\(v = \sqrt{\gamma \cdot R \cdot T}\)

Where:

γ = Heat capacity ratio of air (≈ 1.4)
R = Specific gas constant for dry air, ≈ 287 J/(kg·K)
T = Absolute temperature of air in Kelvin

At 20°C, the speed of sound in dry air is approximately: 343.14 m/s, 1235.3 km/h, 1125.8 ft/s, or 767.6 mph.

How To Use the Speed of Sound Calculator?

Required Inputs:

Enter the temperature of the air.
Select the unit and enter the temperature of the water (if applicable).
Click the "Calculate" button.

Additional Questions:

How Fast Can Sound Travel in mph?

At sea level, the speed of sound is approximately 760 mph or 1,100 feet per second.

Why Does Sound Travel Faster in Water Than in Air?

Sound travels faster in water than in air because of the mechanical properties of the medium. In water, sound moves at about 1,500 m/s, while in air it moves at approximately 340 m/s. Water is denser and more elastic, allowing sound waves to propagate more quickly.

Which Factors Affect the Speed of Sound?

The speed of sound can vary depending on the following factors:

Temperature & Pressure
Medium & Altitude
Density & Humidity
Elasticity & Stiffness of the medium
Adiabatic Index
Molecular Weight of the medium