1. What is Speed of Sound in Oxygen?

Definition: This calculator estimates the speed at which sound waves propagate through oxygen gas under specific conditions.

Purpose: It helps physicists, engineers, and students understand and predict sound behavior in oxygen environments.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( v \) — Speed of sound (m/s)
• \( \gamma \) — Adiabatic index (1.4 for diatomic gases like oxygen)
• \( R \) — Universal gas constant (8.314 J/mol K)
• \( T \) — Absolute temperature (Kelvin)
• \( M \) — Molar mass of oxygen (0.032 kg/mol)

Explanation: The speed depends on how quickly molecules can transfer vibrations, affected by temperature and molecular properties.

3. Importance of Speed of Sound Calculation

Details: Knowing sound speed is crucial for designing acoustic systems, studying atmospheric phenomena, and industrial gas applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the adiabatic index (default 1.4 for oxygen), temperature in Kelvin, and molar mass (default 0.032 kg/mol for O₂). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is γ = 1.4 for oxygen?
A: 1.4 is the adiabatic index for diatomic gases like O₂ at standard conditions, representing the ratio of specific heats (Cp/Cv).

Q2: How does temperature affect sound speed?
A: Speed increases with temperature as molecules move faster, transmitting vibrations more quickly.

Q3: What's the typical speed of sound in oxygen at room temperature?
A: About 330 m/s at 300K (27°C), compared to 343 m/s in air (which is mostly nitrogen).

Q4: Why use Kelvin for temperature?
A: The formula requires absolute temperature where 0K represents zero molecular motion.

Q5: Does this work for other gases?
A: Yes, but you must adjust γ and M values accordingly (e.g., γ=1.66 for monatomic gases like argon).