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Precision measurement of the speed of sound and thermodynamic properties of gases

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La Rivista del Nuovo Cimento (1978-1999) Aims and scope

Conclusions

The main significance of this paper is to evidence that the speedu of an acoustic wave propagating through a fluid provides nearly exhaustive information about its thermodynamic state.

In recent years a substantial improvement of the experimental techniques and the associated theoretical models have made it possible to measureu with outstanding precision and accuracy (some parts in 106). Thus, even if the thermodynamic quantities of interest are determined indirectly from the acoustic data, their ultimate accuracy favourably compares with that characteristic of traditional non-acoustic techniques.

Among the wide variety of applications of speed-of-sound measurements, the result of major scientific relevance is the re-determination of the universal gas constantR. The revision of thermodynamic temperature scales and determinations of densities and heat capacities for pure gases and mixtures with accuracy of 0.1% also represent important results.

The speed of sound is experimentally determined measuring the resonance frequencies of cavities (resonators) of spherical or cylindrical geometry, the choice depending on the order of accuracy demanded and the particular application of interest. Future improvements of the technique would require either an improved method for the determination of the resonator dimensions as a function of temperature, or different methods for excitation and detection of sound. These should have such design characteristics to extend the accessible range of experimental temperatures and pressures while maintaining or improving the signal-to-noise ratio. Substitution of conventional electro-acoustic transducers with non-contact optical techniques is under study and looks as a promising alternative.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Acoustics Department, Istituto Elettrotecnico Nationale “Galileo Ferraris”, Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135, Torino, Italy

    G. Benedetto, R. M. Gavioso & R. Spagnolo

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  1. G. Benedetto
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  3. R. Spagnolo
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Benedetto, G., Gavioso, R.M. & Spagnolo, R. Precision measurement of the speed of sound and thermodynamic properties of gases. Riv. Nuovo Cim. 22, 1–42 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02872245

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