NCERT Solutions
Class 11 Physics
Waves

Q. 14.4
Use the formula v = (√ (γ P)/ρ) to explain why the speed of sound in air
(a) is independent of pressure,
(b) increases with temperature,
(c) increases with humidity.
Given:
v = (√ (γ P)/ρ) … (i)
Where Density ρ = (Mass)/ (volume)
= (M/V) where M = Molecular weight of thee gas and V = volume of the gas.
Therefore equation (i) changes to,
v = (√ (γ PV)/ (M) … (ii)
Considering the ideal gas equation for n = 1:
PV = RT
For constant T, PV = Constant
Since both M and γ are constants, v = Constant
Hence, at a constant temperature, the speed of sound in a gaseous medium is independent of the change in the pressure of the gas.
Using:
v = (√ (γ P)/ρ) … (i)
For one mole of an ideal gas, the gas equation can be written as:
PV = RT
Or P = (RT)/ (V) ... (ii)
Substituting equation (ii) in equation (i), we get:
v = (√γ RT/V ρ)
= (√γRT/M) … (iv)
Where,
Mass, M = ρV is a constant, (γ and R) are also constants
We conclude from equation (iv) v √T
Hence, the speed of sound in a gas is directly proportional to the square root of the temperature of the gaseous medium, i.e., the speed of the sound increases with an increase in the temperature of the gaseous medium and vice versa.
Speed of sound in moist air = vm
Speed of sound in dry air = vd
Density of moist air = ρm
Density of dry air = ρd
Using:
v = (√ (γ P)/ρ)
Hence, the speed of sound in moist air is:
vm = (√ (γ P)/ρm) …(i)
And the speed of sound in dry air is:
vd = (√ (γ P)/ρd) …(ii)
On dividing equations (i) and (ii), we get:
(vm/ vd) = ((√γ P)/ ρm) x (√ (ρd)/ (γ P)
= √ (ρd)/ (ρm)
However, the presence of water vapour reduces the density of air, i.e.
(ρd) < (ρm)
Therefore, (vm) > (vd)
Hence, the speed of sound in moist air is greater than it is in dry air. Thus, in a gaseous medium, the speed of sound increases with humidity.