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The speed of sound varies with air temperature. This means that the speed of sound
º
can vary from 331 .5m/s to 354.9m/s between 0ºC and +40
C.
The commonly accepted formula for the speed of sound though air is:
Temperature Gradient
Air is a poor heat conductor and relies on surface contact to heat and cool. On a clear,
warm, day the ground will warm low level air and the atmosphere will heat up, by
convection, from bottom to top. Warm air cannot rise to the top of the atmosphere
because air pressure drops with height and air temperature falls as the pressure falls.
Sound will travel faster near the ground and slower higher up causing its path to be
tilted upwards.
If the sky clears after sunset, the ground will cool. Air nearest the ground will cool. In
the absence of wind, this cool air may stay near the ground on a still night.
The same "inverse temperature gradient" can form above ice rinks and in many indoor
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
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