Chapter 17, Problem 73P

(a) Show that, for an ideal gas, the speed of sound given by Equation 14.9 can be written v_sound = $\sqrt{\gamma kT/m}$. (b) For diatomic gases like N₂ and O₂ that are the dominant constituents of air, γ = 7/5. Use your result to show that, for diatomic gases, the speed of sound is about 68% of the thermal speed given by Equation 17.4.