2007-05-03 05:32:00 · 3 answers · asked by Alexander 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
This article does not explain why, it only states that Sir Isaac Newton missed the answer too.
2007-05-03 06:09:23 · update #1
See link
2007-05-03 06:01:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The short answer to this is that pressure changes during the passage of a sound wave occur too quickly for any heat transfer, which is necessary for a isothermic process. Hence, "adiabatic", or "absence of heat transfer".
The longer answer is why should sound waves move so quickly as to make this true? When I get back later today, I'll address this.
Addendum: Never mind, the guy above has already posted the explanation. Thank you, Mr Nice Guy.
Addendum 2: It's not true that sound in any gas, even ideal gas, is "necessarily" wholly adiabatic. Under certain conditions, sound in ideal gas can exhibit isothermic properties. There's a whole field of papers on this subject, there is no single "simple" answer to this question.
2007-05-03 06:08:57 · answer #2 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Traversing of a sound wave is a very fast process, due to which it is unable to exchange heat with the surroundings. And that is the reason why progression of sound wave is adiabatic.
2007-05-09 19:15:05 · answer #3 · answered by Curious 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋