Question

Copper has a density of 9 g/cm3 and a bulk modulus of 1.2 x 1011 N/m2. What isthe speed of a wave through it?

Answer 1

The speed of wave is given as follows:

$$c = \sqrt{\dfrac{K}{\rho}}$$

where $K = 1.2\times 10^{11}N/m^2$ is the bulk modulus, and $\rho = 9g/cm^3 = 9000kg/m^3$ is the density. Thus, obtain:

$$c = \sqrt{\dfrac{1.2\times 10^{11}N/m^2}{9000kg/m^3}} \approx 4\times 10^3m/s$$

Answer. $4\times 10^3m/s$.