Properties of Sound and Mechanical Waves – Rankers Physics
Topic: Thermal Physics
Subtopic: Kinetic Theory of Gases

Properties of Sound and Mechanical Waves

Consider the following statements.
Statement A: Velocity of sound in gaseous medium depends on molar mass of gas.
Statement B: Mechanical wave require a material medium for their propagation.
Statement C: Speed of sound is less in humid air.
Which of the statement(s) is/are correct?
Only statements A and B
Only statements B and C
Only statements A and C
All statements A, B and C

Solution:

Velocity of sound is given by \(v = \sqrt{\frac{\gamma RT}{M}}\), so it depends on molar mass \(M\). Mechanical waves require a material medium. Humid air has lower density than dry air, which increases the speed of sound, making Statement C incorrect.

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