Simple equations for the speed of sound in Neptunian waters

1981/03/01 by Alan B. Coppens · 113 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Acoustics #Archaeology #Computer science #Engineering #Environmental science #Geography #Geology #Geophysical and Geoelectrical Methods #Marine engineering #Mediterranean climate #Mediterranean sea #Oceanography #Philosophy #Physics #Scientific Research and Discoveries #Simple (philosophy) #Sound (geography) #Speed of sound #Underwater Acoustics Research

paper · doi:10.1121/1.385486

published in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 69(3), 862-863 (Acoustical Society of America)

openalex publication_date 1981/03/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/26

Abstract

Two simple equations for the speed of sound in sea waters, down to depths of 4 km, have been obtained as approximations to a more precise equation developed by Lovett. The simpler of the two is valid for all Neptunian waters except the Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Persian Gulf, and agrees with Lovett’s equation to within about 0.1 m/s. The other includes these water masses and is in agreement with Lovett to within about 0.03 m/s. The two equations are well adapted to programmable handheld calculators.

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