Speed of sound via bulk modulus and density

Sound waves are longitudinal mechanical waves that can travel through any type of material, be it solid, liquid, or gas. The phase velocity of the a sound wave depends on the bulk modulus of the medium it is traveling in and its density.

Links:

  1. Wikipedia.

phase_velocity

phase_speed of sound wave.

Symbol:

v

Latex:

\(v\)

Dimension:

velocity

bulk_modulus

bulk_modulus of the medium. Also see Hydraulic stress is bulk modulus times strain.

Symbol:

K

Latex:

\(K\)

Dimension:

pressure

density

density of the medium.

Symbol:

rho

Latex:

\(\rho\)

Dimension:

mass/volume

law

v = sqrt(K / rho)

Latex:
\[v = \sqrt{\frac{K}{\rho}}\]