Q147 / 180 · COMEDK 2012 · Physics

The ratio of speed of sound in hydrogen to that in oxygen at the same temperature is

  • A
    $1: 4$
  • Correct answer
    B
    $4: 1$
  • C
    $1: 1$
  • D
    $16: 1$

Solution

Speed of sound in a gas, $v=\sqrt{\frac{R T}{M}}$ Both, hydrogen and oxygen gas are diatomic. At same temperature, $$ \begin{aligned} & v \propto \frac{1}{\sqrt{M}} \\ \therefore \quad & \frac{v_{\mathrm{H}}}{v_{\mathrm{O}}}=\sqrt{\frac{M_{\mathrm{O}}}{M_{\mathrm{H}}}}=\sqrt{\frac{32}{2}}=\sqrt{16}=4 \text { or } 4: 1 \end{aligned} $$

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'B'.

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