What is the impact of temperature on the speed of sound in air?

The interaction between temperature and the speed of sound in air is rooted in the kinetic theory of gases. As temperature rises, the average kinetic energy of the air molecules also increases. This leads to molecules moving more rapidly.

In practical terms, this means that sound waves, which propagate through the air as oscillations of these molecules, can travel more efficiently when the molecules are moving fast. Consequently, higher temperatures facilitate a quicker transmission of sound waves, resulting in an increase in the speed of sound.

This phenomenon is evidenced by the fact that the speed of sound in air is approximately 0.6 meters per second faster for every 1°C increase in temperature. Therefore, the idea that higher temperatures increase the speed of sound is grounded in the fundamental behavior of gas molecules under varying thermal conditions.