Moderate

The speed of sound in hydrogen is _____________ time than that in oxygen?

Correct answer: C. Four time

  • A. Two times
  • B. Three times
  • C. Four time
  • D. Six time

Explanation

For a gas, sound speed is proportional to 1/√M when the other conditions are comparable. Using the molecular masses of hydrogen and oxygen, √(32 u / 2 u) = √16 = 4, so sound travels four times faster in hydrogen than in oxygen. The likely mistake is choosing two times by comparing the molecular masses directly instead of using their square roots.

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About Speed of Sound

The speed of sound depends on the properties of the medium, including its elasticity and density, and in gases it varies mainly with temperature. Questions connect speed with frequency and wavelength, compare sound in solids, liquids and gases, and distinguish the speed of propagation from the oscillating particles' motion.

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