At the same temperature and pressure, oxygen is 16 times as dense as hydrogen. What is the ratio of the speed of sound in hydrogen to that in oxygen (assume equal γ)?
Correct answer B. 4 : 1
Explanation
From v = √(γP/ρ), v ∝ 1/√ρ at fixed pressure. Hence v_H/v_O = √(ρ_O/ρ_H) = √16 = 4, giving a ratio of 4 : 1.
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