What is the air temperature (in K)?

Question

In a student laboratory exercise, the wavelength of a 52,300 Hz ultrasound wave is measured to be 0.660 cm. Find the air temperature (in K).

Answer 1

Emma,

You will need a table that gives the speed of sound in air as a function of temperature. Using the speed of sound at the temperature given, and the relationship between wave velocity, frequency, and wavelength, you can solve this problem. Be sure to use consistent units (e.g. make sure the wavelength and speed of sound both use the same distance unit; don't mix cm with m/sec).

-G.