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Speed Sound Gases

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

speedsoundgases

Overview

Engineering reference data for Speed Sound Gases 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

Speed of Sound in Gases

47 rows
Speed of sound for various gases at specified temperatures and atmospheric pressure (unless noted).
Gas
Speed of Sound(m/s)
Acetaldehyde278
Acetylene329
Air331
Air (20°C)343
Ammonia (30°C)440
Argon (27°C)323
Benzene (90°C)200
Bromine (58°C)149
Carbon dioxide (51°C)280
Carbon dioxide (0°C)258
Carbon disulfide (35°C)206
Carbon monoxide (0°C)337
Carbon tetrachloride (22°C)133
Chlorine (0°C)205
Chloroform (22°C)154
Cyclohexan (30°C)181
Deuterium (0°C)888
Diethyl ether (40°C)187
Ethane (31°C)316
Ethylene (20°C)327
Fluorine (102°C)332
Trichlorofluoromethane R11 (18°C)143
1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane R113 (53°C)124
Dichlorodifluoromethane R12 (17°C)140
Chlorodifluoromethane R22 (17°C)179
Helium (0°C)973
Hydrogen (27°C)1320
Hydrogen bromide (0°C)200
Hydrogen chloride (0°C)294
Hydrogen iodide (0°C)157
Hydrogen sulfide (24°C)309
Hydrogen sulfide (0°C)295
Krypton (30°C)224
Methane (41°C)466
Methane (27°C)450
Neon (30°C)461
Neon (0°C)433
Nitric oxide (16°C)334
Nitrogen (29°C)354.4
Nitrous oxide (25°C)268
Nitrous oxide (0°C)256
Oxygen (27°C)330
Oxygen (30°C)332.2
Sulfur dioxide (0°C)209
Sulfur hexafluoride (11°C)133
Water vapor steam (100°C)477.5
Water vapour steam 6 MPa (350°C)571

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

Dependence on Gas Properties

The speed of sound in a gas is determined by its density and bulk modulus elasticity. A lower density or a higher bulk modulus generally leads to a higher speed of sound.

Note on Speed and Velocity

Speed is a scalar quantity representing magnitude only, while velocity is a vector quantity that includes direction. In acoustics, the term "speed of sound" is used, as sound propagation in gases is typically isotropic under uniform conditions.

References