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Sound Speed Liquids

Reference data and engineering information about sound speed liquids for acoustics applications.

soundspeedliquids

Overview

Engineering reference data for Sound Speed Liquids in acoustics.

Key Formulas

Speed of Sound

c=γRTc = \sqrt{\gamma R T}

Speed of sound in an ideal gas.

Sound Level

L=10log10(I/I0)L = 10 \log_{10}(I/I_0)

Decibel level.

Wavelength

λ=c/f\lambda = c / f

Wavelength = speed / frequency.

Variables

SymbolDescriptionUnit
ccSpeed of soundm/s
LLSound leveldB
λ\lambdaWavelengthm
ffFrequencyHz
70 rows
Speed of sound in various liquids at specified temperatures
Liquid
Speed of Sound(m/s)
Acetic acid (19.6 °C)1173
Acetone (25 °C)1170
Alcohol, ethyl (ethanol) (25 °C)1144
Alcohol, methyl (25 °C)1103
Alcohol, propyl1205
Aniline (25 °C)1640
Argon (-243 °C)840
Benzene (25 °C)1298
Bromobenzene (20 °C)1169
Bismuth (280 °C)1651
Butane (-0.5 °C)1038
1-Butanol (20 °C)1262
Caesium (40 °C)980
Carbon bisulfide1160
Carbon disulfide (25 °C)1242
Carbon tetrachloride (Tetrachloromethane) (25 °C)930
Castor oil1474
Chloroform (25 °C)984
Chlorobenzene (25 °C)1270
Cyclohexane (20 °C)1280
Cyclohexanol (25 °C)1465
1-Decene (20 °C)1250
Diethyl-ether (25 °C)951
Ethane (-88.6 °C)1316
Ethanol (20 °C)1159
Ether985
Ethylene (-103.8 °C)1307
Ethylene glycol (25 °C)1660
Fluorbenzene (20 °C)1183
Glycerine1920
Glycerol (glycerine) (25 °C)1920
Helium (-269 °C)180
Heptane1138
Hexane1203
n-Hexanol (25 °C)1303
Hydrogen (-255 °C)1246
Indium (160 °C)2313
Iodobenzene (20 °C)1114
Kerosene1324
Lead (340 °C)1766
Mercury (25 °C)1450
Methane (-170 °C)1420
Methanol (20 °C)1116
Naphthalene (100 °C)1248
Neon (-243 °C)540
Nitrobenzene (25 °C)1463
Nitrogen (-195.8 °C)851
Octane1171
Oil (castor) (25 °C)1490
Oil (lubricating) (25 °C)1461
Oxygen (-202 °C)1056
Pentane (20 °C)1036
Petroleum1330
Potassium (80 °C)1869
n-Pentanol (25 °C)1277
Phenol1274
Propane (-42.1 °C)1161
n-Propanol (25 °C)1207
Pyridine (25 °C)1417
Rubidium (50 °C)1247
Sodium (110 °C)2520
Tin (240 °C)2471
Toluene (25 °C)1306
Turpentine1240
Water1493
Water, 0 °C1402
Water, 20 °C1482
Water, sea with 3.5% salinity1533
Water, sea with 3.5% salinity, 20 °C1522
Zinc (450 °C)2780

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

Speed of Sound in Seawater

Temperature (°C)Speed of Sound (m/s)
01449
51471
101490
151507
201522
251534
301546

Unit Conversions

  • 1 m/s=3.6 km/h=196.85 ft/min=3.28 ft/s=2.237 mph1 \text{ m/s} = 3.6 \text{ km/h} = 196.85 \text{ ft/min} = 3.28 \text{ ft/s} = 2.237 \text{ mph}

Important Notes

  • Reference: The speed of sound in air at standard conditions is 343 m/s343 \text{ m/s}.
  • Temperature Dependence: Values in the table are based on the specified temperature. The speed of sound in a liquid generally increases with temperature.
  • Speed vs. Velocity: Speed is a scalar quantity (magnitude only). Velocity is a vector quantity that includes both magnitude and direction.

References