Final answer:
The speed of sound in air increases by approximately 0.6 m/s for each 1°C increase in temperature, with the speed of sound at 0°C being 331 m/s and at 20°C being approximately 343 m/s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speed of sound in air increases as the temperature rises, due to the direct relationship between the speed of sound and the kinetic energy of air molecules. The increase in speed of sound for every 1°C increase in temperature can be estimated using the formula ‘speed of sound = 331 m/s + (0.6 × temperature in °C)’. Therefore, for each degree Celsius rise, the speed of sound typically increases by approximately 0.6 meters per second (m/s) at around room temperature conditions.
At 0°C, the speed of sound is about 331 m/s. When the temperature is at 20°C, the speed of sound is around 343 m/s, which reveals that the increase of 12 m/s over a 20°C range equates to an increase of 0.6 m/s per 1°C.
The speed of sound is also affected by other factors such as humidity, altitude, and the medium through which it travels. However, when considering only temperature effects at sea level in air, the rate of increase in speed of sound is relatively consistent, as represented by the incremental addition of 0.6 m/s for each degree Celsius increase.