The speed of sound depends on the medium through which it travels. In general, the speed of sound in dry air at room temperature is approximately 343 meters per second (or about 1,125 feet per second).
To determine how long it takes for sound waves to travel a mile, we can calculate the time based on the speed of sound. Since there are 1,609.34 meters in a mile, we can use the following formula:
Time = Distance / Speed
Converting the distance of one mile to meters, we get:
Distance = 1 mile = 1,609.34 meters
Using the speed of sound in air:
Speed = 343 meters/second
Plugging in the values, we can calculate the time it takes for sound waves to travel one mile:
Time = 1,609.34 meters / 343 meters/second ≈ 4.69 seconds
Therefore, it takes approximately 4.69 seconds for sound waves to travel a mile in dry air at room temperature. Keep in mind that the actual speed of sound may vary depending on factors such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric conditions.