Asked in PMC Practice Test 12 (2021) 2021Moderate

The speed of sound, v, is not affected by a variation in the pressure of the gas, because:

Correct answer: C. Density is proportional to pressure

  • A. Speed does not depend on pressure
  • B. Speed does not depend on density
  • C. Density is proportional to pressure
  • D. None of the above

Explanation

The speed of sound in a gas is determined by the properties of the medium through which it propagates. In a gas, the speed of sound is primarily influenced by two factors: the density of the gas and the elasticity of the medium. However, the speed of sound is not directly affected by variations in pressure alone. In an ideal gas approximation, air pressure has no role to play in deciding the speed of sound because pressure and density both contribute to the velocity of sound equally and thus cancels each other out. Hence, Air pressure has no effect on sound speed.

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