Wave Speed in Solids

In this chapter, an approximate model is developed for the speed of sound through solids, which is only appropriate for a one-dimensional solid such as a long, thin metal rod. A wave equation is developed for a flexible wire and two possible scenarios presented—irrotational waves and solenoidal waves. These two scenarios provide the speed of sound associated with longitudinal and transverse waves that are also called primary and secondary waves and can be related to speed of sound of earthquakes. Comparisons are made between experimental data and the developed models for speed of sound through one-dimensional solids, longitudinal (primary) waves and transverse (secondary) waves. For the experimental data for several metals, the worst relative errors are—primary waves (5.2%), secondary waves (9.3%), and one-dimensional solid (6.8%).