What is the typical speed of sound in air?

The typical speed of sound in air at room temperature is approximately 340 meters per second. This value is based on the standard atmospheric conditions, where temperature and air pressure impact sound propagation. At 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), sound travels optimally at this speed.

When temperatures increase, the speed of sound also increases due to the greater energy and motion of air molecules, while cooler temperatures can reduce this speed. Understanding this speed is fundamental in fields like acoustics, hearing aid technology, and audio engineering since it affects how sound is transmitted and heard.

The other options reflect speeds of sound in different mediums or under different conditions. For instance, 1,500 meters per second is closer to the speed of sound in water, and 1,120 kilometers per hour is an approximation close to the speed of sound at sea level in air but is not the standard measurement. Lastly, 700 miles per hour is significantly faster than the speed of sound in air and does not reflect typical conditions. Therefore, the answer accurately represents the commonly accepted speed of sound in air.