Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Calculating the Speed of Sound
In this physical science lab, students will calculate the speed of sound. They will observe that the speed of sound is constant, regardless of wavelength or frequency, and see the inverse relationship between wavelength and frequency.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Sonic Boom Problem
Objects that fly faster than the speed of sound create a shock wave accompanied by a thunder-like noise: the sonic boom. These epic sounds can cause distress to people and animals and even damage nearby buildings. Katerina Kaouri details...
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Ernst Mach
Read about the life and work of this Austrian physicist and philosopher, known for his contributions to physics with the Mach number and the study of shock waves.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: The Speed of Sound
Educational resource provides a physics tutorial on the speed of sound. Learn more about it and then check your understanding at the end by taking a quiz.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Wave on String Lab
This lab is designed to help students discover the connections between the linear density of a string and the tension in the string with the speed of the wave along the string. The program can be set with six identical strings or six...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Speed of Sound Lab
This lab is designed to have students investigate the relationship between the distance from an explosion and the time it takes the sound of the explosion to reach the observer. The temperature of the air can be changed by changing the...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Sound Waves and Music: The Speed of Sound
Students discover factors that affect the speed of sound waves through a medium with illustrated examples and interactive practice problems.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Speed of Sound
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] What the speed of sound is and its variation in different media, and the effect of temperature on the speed of sound.
NASA
Nasa: Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics
Includes exhaustive information and a wealth of activities pertaining to aerodynamics and the physics of flight.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Test Prep: Mcat: Physical Processes: Sound Is a Longitudinal Wave
Discusses the physics of how sound travels. Includes a video of a volcanic eruption that demonstrates the speed of sound waves.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Scientific American: Calls of the Wild: Bats and Echolocation
Explore bats' navigation systems by experimenting with echolocation. Approximate an object's distance by analyzing reflected sound waves, measuring the delay in sound and calculating the ratio to the speed of sound.
Physics Hypertextbook
The Physics Hypertextbook: The Nature of Sound
Study the details of sound from characteristics to speed, ultrasound, infrasound, and other aspects of sound waves.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Physics for Kids: Basics of Sound
Kids learn the basics of the science of sound, the speed of sound, and volume. What is sound and how does it move? It is a wave made from the vibration of molecules.
University of Texas at Austin
Thermo Dex:index of Selected Thermodynamic Data Handbooks
Do you need to know a specific value of a specific quantity for any given substance? If so, this is the place. Find the heat capacity, heats of vaporization and fusion, and much more from this page.
BBC
Bbc Newsround: Skydiver Breaks Sound Barrier
Felix Baumgartner travelled faster than the speed of sound when he jumped from the edge of space back down to earth. This record breaking jump hurtled Baumgartner through the sky at more than 800 miles an hour.
Science Struck
Science Struck: How Does Sound Travel?
Discusses the characteristics of sound waves and the conditions that affect the speed of sound.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Facts About Sound Waves for Kids
Provides a simple explanation of how sound waves travel and gives a long list of facts about sound waves.
MadSci Network
Mad Sci Network: Measuring the Speed of Sound
Can you measure the speed of sound? Find out for yourself using this site's question and answer format.