Speed of Sound

• B=-?p/(?V/V)

• Water: B~2.2x109N/m2 Air: B~ 105 N/m2

• gases are more compressible (B is smaller)

• speed of sound in a fluid depends on the density and the elasticity-> i.e. the medium

• v = (B/?0)1/2 wave speed in a fluid

• vair ~ 343 m/s at room temperature

• vwater ~ 1482 m/s ( B is larger!)

• vsteel ~ 5941 m/s

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