The speed of sound in air at sea level and at room temperature (approximately 20 degrees Celsius or 68 degrees Fahrenheit) is about 1,125 feet per second, or roughly 767 miles per hour. To calculate how long it takes for sound to travel 1 mile, you can convert 1 mile into feet, which is 5,280 feet.
Using the speed of sound, you can determine the time it takes to cover this distance:
1. Divide the distance by the speed: 5,280 feet ÷ 1,125 feet per second ≈ 4.69 seconds.
So, it takes sound about 4.7 seconds to travel 1 mile under typical conditions.
Keep in mind that various factors, such as temperature, humidity, and altitude, can affect the speed of sound slightly. For instance, sound travels faster in warmer air. In colder temperatures, the speed of sound decreases, which would increase the time it takes for sound to travel that mile. However, in most everyday situations, you can use the figure of approximately 4.7 seconds as a reliable estimate.