The speed of sound in air is approximately 343 meters per second (or about 1,125 feet per second) at standard temperature and pressure (STP), which is defined as 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) and 1 atmosphere of pressure.
The wavelength of sound in air depends on the frequency of the sound wave. Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points in a sound wave that are in phase, such as two crests or two troughs. The relationship between speed, frequency, and wavelength of a wave can be expressed using the formula:
Wavelength = Speed of sound / Frequency
For example, if we consider a sound wave with a frequency of 440 Hertz (Hz), which corresponds to the musical note A4, we can calculate the wavelength as follows:
Wavelength = 343 m/s / 440 Hz ≈ 0.78 meters
Therefore, the wavelength of a sound wave with a frequency of 440 Hz in air is approximately 0.78 meters (or about 2.56 feet).
It's important to note that the speed of sound and the wavelength can vary depending on factors such as temperature, humidity, and the composition of the medium through which the sound wave is propagating. The values provided here are approximate and represent typical conditions at STP.