A Corresponding States Treatment of the Speed of Sound in Simple Liquids

Abstract

It is shown that the speed of sound in the simple liquids A, N₂, O₂, CH₄ conforms to the principle of corresponding states as formulated by de Boer in molecular units. The lighter liquids H₂ and He show negative deviations which are proportional to their quanta1 parameters Λ*. CCl₄ shows a positive deviation which is most likely due to a difference in the form of its intermolecular potential from that of the other liquids. A simple theory is presented for the speed of sound in a hypothetical liquid at absolute zero. The calculated value is consistent with the experimental data at finite temperatures.