Why Does Sound Travel at a Constant Speed in a Medium?

[Frillth]

I know from my physics course that sound has a particular speed in any medium that it is traveling through, much like light. I have not learned, however, why this is so. I know that sound is simply a pressure wave traveling through air (or water or steel or whatever), but it doesn't seem obvious to me why this pressure wave should have one and only one speed per medium.

Can somebody please explain why sound travels at one particular speed per medium? Thanks!

 

[chroot]

A pretty good approximation to the speed of sound in a medium can obtained with only the molecular weight of its constituent molecules, and its density.

Density and pressure are usually inversely related, so together they have little effect on the speed of sound.

- Warren

 

[astrokreng]

The speed of sound in a medium is dependent on several factors, including the density and elasticity of the medium. When a sound wave travels through a medium, it causes molecules in the medium to vibrate, creating areas of compression and rarefaction. These vibrations then propagate through the medium, resulting in the perception of sound.

The speed at which these vibrations travel is determined by the properties of the medium. In a more dense and elastic medium, such as steel, the molecules are closer together and can transmit the vibrations faster. In a less dense and less elastic medium, such as air, the molecules are further apart and the vibrations travel slower.

Additionally, the temperature of the medium can also affect the speed of sound. As the temperature increases, the molecules in the medium have more energy and can vibrate faster, resulting in a higher speed of sound.

Overall, the specific speed of sound in a medium is a result of the unique combination of its density, elasticity, and temperature. This is why different mediums have different speeds of sound, and why the speed remains constant within a given medium. I hope this helps to clarify why sound travels at one particular speed per medium.