speed of sound

physics
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Key People:
Charles-François Sturm
August Kundt
Related Topics:
sound

speed of sound, speed at which sound waves propagate through different materials. In particular, for dry air at a temperature of 0 °C (32 °F), the modern value for the speed of sound is 331.29 metres (1,086.9 feet) per second. The speed of sound in liquid water at 8 °C (46 °F) is about 1,439 metres (4,721 feet) per second.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.