What is the approximate speed of sound in water at 20°C?

The approximate speed of sound in water at 20°C is about 1500 meters per second. This value is generally accepted in hydrographic surveying and oceanography for standard conditions. The speed of sound is influenced by several factors, including temperature, salinity, and pressure, but at a standard temperature of 20°C, it is consistently around this figure.

In freshwater, the sound speed can vary slightly due to the presence of various dissolved substances, but it typically hovers around 1482 meters per second at 20°C. In seawater, with its higher salinity and pressure, sound speeds can increase, but the general accepted value remains close to 1500 meters per second for practical purposes in surveying. Understanding this speed is crucial for accurately determining the depth and positioning measurements in hydrographic surveys, as it directly affects the travel time of acoustic signals used in sonar operations.