Question

What two factors will most likely change the speed of a mechanical wave?

Answer 1

Speed of mechanical wave (sound wave) is given by the formula

$v = \sqrt{\frac{E}{\rho}}$

here we can say that speed of sound wave depends on two factors

1). E = elasticity

2). $\rho$ = density

also we can have the string wave speed given by the equation as

$v = \sqrt{\frac{T}{\mu}}$

here we can say it will depends on

1). T = tension in the string

2)$\mu$ = linear mass density

Also we will have the speed of sound in gases given as

$v = \sqrt{\frac{\gamma RT}{M}}$

here it depends on two factors as

1). $\gamma$ = Type of gas

2). T = temperature of gas