berkeman said:I did a Google search on speed of sound in steel vs temperature and got lots of good hits (Google even finished typing the word "temperature" for me). Here is the hit list:
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=speed+of+sound+in+steel+vs+temperature
At room temperature, which is approximately 20°C (68°F), the speed of sound in steel is typically around 5,960 meters per second (m/s).
The speed of sound in steel generally decreases as the temperature increases. This is because the material's density and elasticity change with temperature, affecting how sound waves travel through it.
At 100°C, the speed of sound in steel is slightly lower than at room temperature, typically around 5,800 meters per second (m/s). The exact speed can vary depending on the specific type of steel and its properties.
As temperature increases, the atomic vibrations within the steel increase, leading to a decrease in the material's stiffness (elastic modulus) and an increase in its density. Both factors contribute to a lower speed of sound.
Yes, the speed of sound in steel can be used to measure temperature changes. By accurately measuring the speed of sound and knowing the relationship between speed and temperature for the specific type of steel, one can estimate the temperature of the material.