Related Resources: physics
Speed of Sound Table Chart
Speed of Sound table chart including Speed of Sound at a known temperature and density of air, Speed of Sound vs Density of Air .
Speed of Sound Equation:
vs = 643.855 x (T/273.15)0.5
Where:
vs = Speed of Sound (knots)
T = temperature (Kelvin)
Speed of Sound at a known temperature and density of air
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Feet (ft) | Meter (m) | Celsius (°C) | Kelvin (K) | mph | knots | km/h | m/s |
0 (sea level) | 0 (sea level) | 15 | 288 | 761.1 | 661 | 1,225 | 340.3 |
5,000 | 1524 | 5.1 | 278 | 747.9 | 650 | 1,204 | 334.4 |
10,000 | 3048 | -4.8 | 268 | 734.5 | 638 | 1,182 | 328.4 |
15,000 | 4572 | -14.7 | 258 | 720.8 | 626 | 1,160 | 322.2 |
20,000 | 6096 | -24.6 | 248 | 706.9 | 614 | 1,138 | 316.0 |
25,000 | 7620 | -34.5 | 239 | 692.6 | 602 | 1,115 | 309.6 |
30,000 | 9144 | -44.4 | 229 | 678.1 | 589 | 1,091 | 303.1 |
35,000 | 10668 | -56.0 | 217 | 660.7 | 574 | 1,063 | 295.4 |
40,000 | 12192 | -56.6 | 216 | 659.8 | 573 | 1,062 | 294.9 |
45,000 | 13716 | -56.6 | 216 | 659.8 | 573 | 1,062 | 294.9 |
50,000 | 15240 | -56.6 | 216 | 659.8 | 573 | 1,062 | 294.9 |
55,000 | 16764 | -56.6 | 216 | 659.8 | 573 | 1,062 | 294.9 |
60,000 | 18288 | -56.6 | 216 | 659.8 | 573 | 1,062 | 294.9 |
Speed of Sound vs Density of Air
Effect of temperature on properties of air
Temperature T ( °C ) |
Speed of sound c ( m · s −1 ) |
Density of air ρ ( kg · m −3 ) |
specific acoustic impedance z 0 ( Pa · m −1 · s ) |
+35 |
351.88 |
1.1455 |
403.2 |
+30 |
349.02 |
1.1644 |
406.5 |
+25 |
346.13 |
1.1839 |
409.4 |
+20 |
343.21 |
1.2041 |
413.3 |
+15 |
340.27 |
1.2250 |
416.9 |
+10 |
337.31 |
1.2466 |
420.5 |
+5 |
334.32 |
1.2690 |
424.3 |
0 |
331.30 |
1.2922 |
428.0 |
−5 |
328.25 |
1.3163 |
432.1 |
−10 |
325.18 |
1.3413 |
436.1 |
−15 |
322.07 |
1.3673 |
440.3 |
−20 |
318.94 |
1.3943 |
444.6 |
−25 |
315.77 |
1.4224 |
449.1 |
Given normal atmospheric conditions, the temperature, and thus speed of sound, varies with altitude:
Altitude | Temperature | m·s −1 | km·h −1 | mph | knots |
Sea level | 15 °C (59 °F) | 340 | 1225 | 761 | 661 |
11,000 m−20,000 m (Cruising altitude of commercial jets, and first supersonic flight ) |
−57 °C (−70 °F) | 295 | 1062 | 660 | 573 |
29,000 m (Flight of X-43A ) | −48 °C (−53 °F) | 301 | 1083 | 673 | 585 |