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Speed of Sound Calculator

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Formula

Speed in air (m/s) = 331.3 + 0.606 x Temperature(C). Conversions: x 3.6 = km/h, x 2.237 = mph, x 3.281 = ft/s. Water ~1480 m/s, Steel ~5960 m/s.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does sound travel in air?
At 20C (68F), sound travels at about 343 m/s (1,235 km/h or 767 mph) in dry air. The speed increases by about 0.6 m/s for each degree Celsius increase in temperature.
Why does sound travel faster in water than air?
Sound travels about 4.3 times faster in water (~1,480 m/s) than air because water is denser and more elastic. Sound waves transfer energy more efficiently through the closely packed molecules.

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