Technical Guides - Speed of Sound in Pure Water
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This guide provides current information and equations for calculating the speed of sound in pure water as a function of temperature and pressure.
Contents
Speed of sound as a function of temperature only
 |
Bilaniuk and Wong's equations |
| Del Grosso and Mader's (1972) data re-calculated following adoption of the International Temperature Scale of 1990 | |
|
Marczak's equation |
| A fifth order polynomial derived from the combined data of Del Grosso and Mader (1972), Kroebel and Mahrt (1976) and Fujii and Masui (1993) | |
|
Lubbers and Graaff's simplified equation |
| A simple equation valid for a limited temperature range |
Which Equation?
Differences between the Bilaniuk and Wong 148 point equation and Marczak's equation are of the order of 0.02 ms-1 or better at most temperatures, and either equation is suitable for the most accurate work. The Marczak equation has the advantage that all coefficients are expressed to 6 decimal places rather than the 8 decimal places of Bilaniuk and Wong.
Speed of sound as a function of temperature and pressure
|
The equation of Belogol'skii, Sekoyan et al |
| The pressure dependence of sound speed in distilled water |
Also available:
- Equations of state of water: some guidance.
- Lakes: pure water or sea water?
- Dispersion
- References
- Speed of sound in sea water
For further information, contact Justin Ablitt.