UPSC CDS Science Physics Questions Part 1

The velocity of sound is maximum in solids and minimum in gases. Being a longitudinal wave, it needs medium to travel. The velocity of sound is defined as the distance travelled by a sound wave propagating through an elastic medium per unit time. The velocity of sound in a particular medium depends on density and elasticity of a medium. Mathematically velocity of sound in a medium is directly proportional to density of the medium through which it travels. The formula for the speed of sound is given by:
c=√λ×

P

ρ

Where
P = Pressure
ρ = density
λ= specific heat of ratio