What is the Speed of Sound in Water?

Answer: The speed of sound in water is approximately 1,480 meters per second (m/s) at room temperature.

The speed of sound in water is influenced by various factors such as temperature, pressure, and salinity. In general, sound travels faster in water compared to air due to water’s higher density and incompressibility. At room temperature, approximately 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), the speed of sound in fresh water is approximately 1,480 meters per second (m/s).

The speed of sound in water can be calculated using the formula:

[Tex]v = \sqrt{\frac{B}{\rho}}[/Tex]​​

where:

• [Tex]v[/Tex] is the speed of sound,
• B is the bulk modulus of water, and
• ρ is the density of water.

The temperature of the water plays a significant role, as changes in temperature affect water density. In seawater, which has additional factors like salinity impacting density, the speed of sound can vary. Acoustic properties of water are crucial in applications such as underwater communication, sonar systems, and oceanography studies where understanding sound propagation in water is essential.