The speed of sound refers to the velocity at which sound waves travel through a medium, such as air or water. The specific speed of sound depends on the properties of the medium, such as its density and elasticity. In general, the speed of sound is much slower than the speed at which the Earth rotates.
The Earth completes one full rotation on its axis in approximately 24 hours, which corresponds to a rotational speed of about 1670 kilometers per hour (km/h) at the equator. In comparison, the speed of sound in dry air at sea level and at room temperature is around 343 meters per second (m/s), which is roughly equivalent to 1235 km/h.
The reason for the significant difference in speeds is primarily due to the vast contrast in the mechanisms by which they propagate. The Earth's rotation is a result of the planet's physical rotation in space, while sound is a mechanical wave that travels through particles in a medium.
In simpler terms, sound travels by causing particles in a medium, such as air molecules, to vibrate and pass on the vibrations to neighboring particles. These vibrations propagate as a wave through the medium. This process takes time, resulting in the relatively slower speed of sound.
In contrast, the Earth's rotation occurs at a much larger scale and is not dependent on the properties of a specific medium. The rotation of the Earth is influenced by various factors, including its mass, gravitational forces, and initial angular momentum. Consequently, the speed of Earth's rotation is significantly faster than the speed at which sound waves can travel through a medium.