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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Why does hot water sound different to cold water?
« on: 02/06/2011 07:52:10 »
Hi Jack,
Hot water is less dense than cold water since it has expanded, the amplitude of vibration of its molecules is greater and so it takes up more volume.
The speed of sound in any medium is dependant on the density of the medium.
For air, the speed of sound is around 600mph or around that number.
For water (much denser than air), the speed of sound is much less (I don't know the number).
To get an idea, think of bird song in air, compared with whale song under water. The frequencies are much different.
Hot water is less dense than cold water since it has expanded, the amplitude of vibration of its molecules is greater and so it takes up more volume.
The speed of sound in any medium is dependant on the density of the medium.
For air, the speed of sound is around 600mph or around that number.
For water (much denser than air), the speed of sound is much less (I don't know the number).
To get an idea, think of bird song in air, compared with whale song under water. The frequencies are much different.
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