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Solid · Speed of sound

Speed of sound in beryllium

Sound travels through beryllium at 12,890 metres per second (46,404 km/h, 28,834 mph) – 37.6 times faster than in air. Conditions: bulk – the fastest of all metals.

12,890 m/sSpeed of sound
46,404 km/hKilometres per hour
37.58×Compared with air
0.0776 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 beryllium takes 7.76 ms; over a mile, 125 ms. At concert pitch A4 (440 Hz) the wavelength is 29.30 m, and at 1 kHz it is 12.89 m.

Acoustic impedance

Acoustic impedance (density × speed) is about 23,846,500 rayl (23.8 MRayl). Because it is so different from air's ~413 rayl, about 99.99% of sound energy is reflected at an air–beryllium 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 beryllium?

12,890 m/s (bulk – the fastest of all metals).

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

About 0.078 seconds.

Is sound faster in beryllium than in air?

Yes – 12,890 m/s versus 343 m/s in air at 20 °C.