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The speed that sound waves propagate through a gas follows the equation: v = sqrt(gamma*R*T)/M), where gamma is the adiabatic index, which, for air, is about 1.4, and is barely (if at all (I'm no expert, just a physics major)) related to the density of air. R is the Universal Gas Constant (~8.31 J/(mol*K)), T is temperature (K), and M is the molecular weight (kg/mol).
Humid air is actually less dense than dry air. This is due to the fact that dry air is primarily composed of N2 and O2 molecules, which have a molecular mass of around 28 and 32 Atomic Mass units, respectively. A molecule of water has a mass of only 18 Atomic Mass units. Therefore, a mole of dry air molecules weighs more than a mole of relatively humid air molecules.
Because the molar mass (M) is less for humid air, the denominator inside of the above-mentioned velocity function is reduced, and the numerator effectively stays constant. Therefore, the fraction becomes larger, and the speed of sound increases as molar mass decreases.
The amplitude of sound waves stays larger for longer in humid air. This is because energy is needed in order to move the molecules in the air and propagate the sound. Less dense air (humid air) has less mass to be moved in order to propagate the sound, and therefore less energy goes into propagating the sound and more energy can remain in the form of the amplitude of the wave.
Summary: The speed of sound waves and the amplitude of sound waves through humid air is greater because humid air is actually less dense than dry air.
What else can I help you with?
Does the word humid have a long u vowel sound?
Yes, it does. The U has the long U (yoo) sound. This is the sound heard in huge, human, and humor.
Is the you in humid a long vowel?
Yes, the "you" in "humid" is a long vowel. It is pronounced as /juː/ with a prolonged sound of the "u".
Does humid have the same vowel sound as mule?
Yes. Both have a long U sound, which can be the YOO sound as in humid, mule, cute, feud, and fuel, but also the plain long OO seen in flute, cool, and soon.
Do sound waves travel faster in dry air or in humid air?
Sound waves travel faster in humid air because humidity would decrease the density of the air. As density decreases then speed of sound would increase as speed is given as c = ./ P/d ./ is the square root symbol. d is the density and P the pressure. Pressure change wont change the speed of sound since P/d remains constant.
Does temperature affect ventilation rate?
if its humid you cant breathe
How does sound waves affect whales?
The sound waves affect their sence of directions.
How does relative humidity affect the speed?
Relative humidity affects the speed of sound in air; higher humidity levels increase the speed of sound. This is because moist air is less dense than dry air, allowing sound waves to travel more efficiently. Conversely, lower humidity results in denser air, which can slow down sound propagation. Thus, sound travels faster in humid conditions compared to dry conditions.
Does a soccer ball curl more in humid or dry conditions?
I believe the humid weather due to the fact that the weather can usually affect the outcome of the total spin of the soccer ball.
What affect the volume of sound?
The amplitude of the sound pressure.
Is shh a sound effect or a word?
Sound affect
How does the amount of water vapor in the air affect evaporation?
The evaporation is less important if the atmosphere is humid.
How do continental climate and maritime climate affect an area's weather?
they cause wet humid conditions
