Based on the tabulated speed-of-sound data for various media, what is the speed of sound in fresh water at 20 degrees Celsius?
A5960 m/s
B331 m/s
C1540 m/s
D1480 m/s
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. 1480 m/s
1. The speed-of-sound table lists fresh water at 20 degrees Celsius as 1480 m/s.
2. This matches option D exactly.
3. 5960 m/s, option A, is the tabulated value for steel, not water.
4. 331 m/s, option B, is air at 0 degrees Celsius, and 1540 m/s, option C, is sea water or human tissue, neither of which is fresh water.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 14 "Sound", section 14.1 Speed of Sound, Frequency, and Wavelength_
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