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What is the speed of sound?

The speed of sound is not a constant; it varies depending upon the medium (substance) through which it travels. When measuring the speed of sound in air one must take into account many factors, including air temperature, air pressure, and air purity.

Sound travels through air at sea level and at 32° Fahrenheit (0° Celsius) at speeds ranging from 740 to 741.5 miles (1191.6 to 1193.22 kilometers) per hour. As air temperature rises, sound velocity (speed) increases. Sound travels faster through water than through air and even faster through iron and steel. It takes sound 5 seconds to travel 1 mile in air, 1 second to travel 1 mile underwater, and of a second to travel the same distance in steel.

Sources: Brennan, Richard P. The Dictionary of Scientific Literacy, p. 276; Famighetri, Robert, ed. The World Almanac and Book of Facts 1995, p. 563; The New York Times, (May 27,...

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