Question

What is the effect of humidity on quality of sound propagation? Is there any difference in propagation of sound in air during the summer and winter seasons?Discuss.

Answer 1

Humidity and temperature do affect speed of sound.

Because it is less dense, sound passes through hot air faster than it passes through cold air.

Under these conditions, sound can bounce between the gradient and the ground, forming regions of higher and lower sound intensity.

Also, as sound propagates through air, the air absorbs energy from the sound wave, weakening it.

This is the reason why when we hear sound of thunder in the distance it is only a low rumble.

The effect is significant only at frequencies above 2 kHz, and increases with frequency.

Hence the attenuation of sound effects in air is affected by the relative humidity.

Answer 2

Answer:

Humidity and temperature do effect speed of sound. Because it is less dense, sound passes through hot air faster than it passes through cold air. Under these conditions, sound can bounce between the gradient and the ground, forming regions of higher and lower sound intensity.