funnyman95 t1_j2lu5om wrote on January 2, 2023 at 7:21 AM

Reply to comment by kenlubin in Does cold temperature make vistas more 'crisp' looking? by colorado_hick

I would imagine yes but that’s because humid air is less dense. The more dense the air the faster waves can travel, so dry may equal farther distance sound can be heard.

citylikeAMradio t1_j2lvwby wrote on January 2, 2023 at 7:43 AM

I think this is a common misconception. Cooler (denser) air molecules move more slowly than warmer air molecules, and that effect negates the 'packedness' that typically results in denser=faster sound. For ideal gases, denser=slower sound.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Sound/souspe3.html