The difference between the speed of sound in air at 0 degrees Celsius and the speed of sound in air at 20 degrees Celsius is that
A) cooler air molecules move more slowly and respond less readily to the energy of a sound wave
B) cooler air molecules move more quickly and respond less readily to the energy of a sound wave.
C) Cooler air molecules do not move and respond less readily to the energy of a sound wave.
D) cooler air molecules move more randomly and less readily to the energy of a sound wave
I think it is a.
Cool air is denser, and sound does travel faster in denser mediums, but it seems to travel faster, at higher temperatures. This phenomenon occurs because hot air molecules tend to move around faster than they don in cold air. Go with answer a.
You are correct! The correct answer is A) cooler air molecules move more slowly and respond less readily to the energy of a sound wave.
At lower temperatures, the air molecules have less kinetic energy and therefore move more slowly. As a result, they respond less readily to the energy of a sound wave, causing the speed of sound to decrease.
To determine the correct answer, let's analyze the relationship between temperature and the speed of sound.
The speed of sound in a particular medium is affected by various factors, including temperature. In general, as the temperature of a medium increases, the speed of sound through that medium also increases. This is because sound waves travel through mediums by causing the molecules in the medium to vibrate. Higher temperatures increase the kinetic energy of the molecules, making them vibrate more quickly and allowing sound waves to propagate faster.
Therefore, in this case, we are comparing the speed of sound in air at 0 degrees Celsius and 20 degrees Celsius. Since 20 degrees Celsius is higher than 0 degrees Celsius, we expect the speed of sound in air at 20 degrees Celsius to be faster.
Now let's evaluate the answer options:
A) Cooler air molecules move more slowly and respond less readily to the energy of a sound wave.
This option accurately explains how cooler air molecules behave. Cooler air molecules have lower kinetic energy and, therefore, move more slowly. As a result, they respond less readily to the energy of a sound wave. This aligns with our understanding that the speed of sound is slower in cooler air.
B) Cooler air molecules move more quickly and respond less readily to the energy of a sound wave.
This option contradicts our understanding that cooler air molecules move more slowly. Therefore, it can be ruled out.
C) Cooler air molecules do not move and respond less readily to the energy of a sound wave.
This option is incorrect. Cooler air molecules may move more slowly, but they certainly do not stop moving altogether.
D) Cooler air molecules move more randomly and less readily to the energy of a sound wave.
This option correctly states that cooler air molecules move more randomly, but it does not explain why the speed of sound is slower in cooler air.
Based on the analysis, option A is the correct answer. Cooler air molecules move more slowly and respond less readily to the energy of a sound wave, which leads to a slower speed of sound in air at 0 degrees Celsius compared to air at 20 degrees Celsius.