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Solid · Speed of sound

Speed of sound in concrete

Sound travels through concrete at about 3,600 metres per second (12,960 km/h, 8,053 mph) – 10.5 times faster than in air. Conditions: typical; 3,200–4,500 m/s.

3,600 m/sSpeed of sound
12,960 km/hKilometres per hour
10.50×Compared with air
0.278 sTime to travel 1 km

Why sound moves at this speed

Solids are very stiff, so sound usually travels fastest through them. Speed rises with stiffness (elastic modulus) and falls with density.

Travel times and wavelengths

Over 100 m, sound in concrete takes 27.8 ms; over a mile, 447 ms. At concert pitch A4 (440 Hz) the wavelength is 8.18 m, and at 1 kHz it is 3.60 m.

Acoustic impedance

Acoustic impedance (density × speed) is about 8,640,000 rayl (8.64 MRayl). Because it is so different from air's ~413 rayl, about 99.98% of sound energy is reflected at an air–concrete boundary – which is why airborne sound hardly enters water or walls, and why ultrasound scans need gel.

Speed of sound in other materials

MaterialSpeedvs. air
Carbon dioxide267 m/s0.78×
Argon323 m/s0.94×
Oxygen326 m/s0.95×
Air at 0 °C331 m/s0.97×
Air343 m/s1.00×
Nitrogen349 m/s1.02×
Methane446 m/s1.30×
Cork500 m/s1.46×
Helium1,007 m/s2.94×
Ethanol1,162 m/s3.39×
Hydrogen1,310 m/s3.82×
Olive oil1,430 m/s4.17×
Mercury1,450 m/s4.23×
Fat tissue1,450 m/s4.23×
Fresh water1,481 m/s4.32×
Seawater1,500 m/s4.37×
Soft tissue (average)1,540 m/s4.49×
Blood1,570 m/s4.58×
Muscle1,580 m/s4.61×
Glycerol1,904 m/s5.55×
Lead2,160 m/s6.30×
Polystyrene2,350 m/s6.85×
Nylon2,600 m/s7.58×
Acrylic (PMMA)2,730 m/s7.96×
Gold3,240 m/s9.45×
Pine (along the grain)3,300 m/s9.62×
Tin3,320 m/s9.68×
Concrete3,600 m/s10.50×
Silver3,650 m/s10.64×
Oak (along the grain)3,850 m/s11.22×
Ice3,880 m/s11.31×
Bone (cortical)4,080 m/s11.90×
Zinc4,210 m/s12.27×
Brass4,400 m/s12.83×
Copper4,760 m/s13.88×
Tungsten5,220 m/s15.22×
Nickel5,600 m/s16.33×
Glass (Pyrex)5,640 m/s16.44×
Stainless steel5,790 m/s16.88×
Steel5,960 m/s17.38×
Granite6,000 m/s17.49×
Titanium6,070 m/s17.70×
Aluminium6,320 m/s18.43×
Diamond12,000 m/s34.99×
Beryllium12,890 m/s37.58×

Typical longitudinal (bulk) sound speeds at about 20 °C unless stated. Real values vary with composition, temperature, pressure and wave type; thin rods carry slower 'bar' waves.

Frequently asked questions

What is the speed of sound in concrete?

About 3,600 m/s (typical; 3,200–4,500 m/s).

How long does sound take to travel 1 km through concrete?

About 0.278 seconds.

Is sound faster in concrete than in air?

Yes – 3,600 m/s versus 343 m/s in air at 20 °C.