Multiple choice

Velocity of sound is

  1. lesser in moist air than in dry air

  2. greater in moist air than in dry air

  3. same in moist and dry air

  4. independent of humidity in air
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Moist air is actually less dense than dry air because water vapor molecules are lighter than the nitrogen and oxygen molecules they displace. Since the speed of sound is inversely proportional to the square root of the density of the gas, sound travels faster in humid conditions. This means sound velocity increases as humidity increases.

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