Question:medium

What is the ratio of the velocity of sound in hydrogen (\(\gamma = \frac{7}{5}\)) to that in helium (\(\gamma = \frac{5}{3}\)) at the same temperature? (Molecular weight of hydrogen and helium is 2 and 4 respectively.)

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Speed of sound in gas: \(v = \sqrt{\frac{\gamma RT}{M}}\). For same \(T\), ratio = \(\sqrt{\frac{\gamma_1 M_2}{\gamma_2 M_1}}\).
Updated On: Jun 4, 2026
  • \(\frac{\sqrt{42}}{5}\)
  • \(\frac{5}{\sqrt{42}}\)
  • \(\frac{\sqrt{21}}{5}\)
  • \(\frac{5}{\sqrt{21}}\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand the question.
We want the ratio of the speed of sound in hydrogen to that in helium at the same temperature. We are given $\gamma_H = \frac{7}{5}$, $\gamma_{He} = \frac{5}{3}$, and molar masses $2$ and $4$.
Step 2: Recall the speed of sound formula.
The speed of sound in a gas is \[ v = \sqrt{\frac{\gamma RT}{M}}, \] where $M$ is the molar mass. Same temperature means $RT$ is common to both.
Step 3: Write the ratio.
\[ \frac{v_H}{v_{He}} = \sqrt{\frac{\gamma_H / M_H}{\gamma_{He} / M_{He}}} = \sqrt{\frac{\gamma_H}{M_H}\cdot\frac{M_{He}}{\gamma_{He}}}. \]
Step 4: Put in the numbers.
\[ \frac{v_H}{v_{He}} = \sqrt{\frac{7/5}{2}\cdot\frac{4}{5/3}} = \sqrt{\frac{7}{10}\cdot\frac{12}{5}}. \]
Step 5: Simplify inside the root.
\[ \frac{7}{10}\cdot\frac{12}{5} = \frac{84}{50} = \frac{42}{25}. \]
Step 6: Take the square root.
\[ \frac{v_H}{v_{He}} = \sqrt{\frac{42}{25}} = \frac{\sqrt{42}}{5}. \] \[ \boxed{\dfrac{v_H}{v_{He}} = \dfrac{\sqrt{42}}{5}} \]
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