Speed of Sound in Summer vs Winter – Rankers Physics

Sound Wave and its Characteristics: Practice Problem & Solution

Given below are two statements: Assertion (A): Sound would travel faster on a hot summer day than on a cold winter day. Reason (R): Velocity of sound is directly proportional to the square root of its absolute temperature.  
Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(A) is true but (R) is false.
(A) is false but (R) is true.

Solution Explained:

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Sound Wave and its Characteristics. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

The speed of sound in a gas is \(v = \sqrt{\frac{\gamma RT}{M}}\), meaning \(v \propto \sqrt{T}\). Since temperature is higher on a hot summer day than a cold winter day, sound travels faster in summer. Both statements are true and Reason is the correct explanation.

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