What is the speed of sound?

Answer 1

The speed of sound is the velocity of sound through a mechanical (elastic) medium (such as air, water, concrete, etc.). It will vary as the medium through which it travels varies. In general, the speed of sound is faster in liquids and even faster in solids.

In air, the speed of sound has little to do with the atmospheric pressure "at sea level" or with the humidity, but the temperature is very important. Therefore we can set aside questions of altitude and humidity.

The speed of sound in air is 343 m/s or 1126.547 ft/s (768.095 mph) at a temperature of 20°C or 68°F

The air pressure and the air density are proportional to each other at the same temperature.

Scroll down to related links and read the short article "Speed of sound - temperature matters, not air pressure" and "Calculation of the speed of sound".

The speed of sound at sea level is equal to 340.29 metres per second.

343 meters/second (1,125 ft/s) or 1,236 kilometers/hour (768 mph).

This speed is variable, dependent on the air density (elevation), temperature, and humidity.

Notice: The speed of sound changes with temperature and

a little bit with humidity − but not with air pressure (atmospheric pressure).

The words "sound pressure at sea level" are incorrect and misleading.

The temperature indication, however, is absolutely necessary.

The speed of sound at 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) is 343 meters per second.

Speed of sound is 331m/s in Air Medium. It varies from medium to medium. It is highest in some crystals.
340.29 m / s
speed of sound at sea level = 340.29 m/s

It is hard to be too precise as the speed of sound is affected by humidity. Over land the speed of sound is 331.3 m/s but slightly higher when the air is wet. Generally, the difference in seconds between the lightning and the sound of thunder is divided by 3 to get the distance of the lightning strike in kilometres.