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Speed of sound in various materials

The following list gives the speed of sound in a number of different materials. Notice that for some the temperature of the material is also given.

    Speed of sound(ms-1)
Air (273 K)   330
Air (293 K)   343
Aluminium   5100
Carbon dioxide (293 K)   259
Copper   3650
Elm   4108
Glass   4000 - 5500
Glycerol   1900
Granite (293 K)   6000
Helium (273 K)   972
Hydrogen (273 K)   1286
Iron   5130
Lead   1230
Neoprene   1600
Oak   3837
Pine   3313
Steel   5060
Sea water   1531
Diamond   12000
Vulcanised rubber   54
Water (298 K)   1430
Water vapour   494


Some of these values vary widely depending on the sources. For example the data given for aluminium varies from 5100 ms-1 [the theoretical value ((E/r)1/2)] to 6240 ms-1 in another practical based source.
 
 
 
© Keith Gibbs 2013