What effect does increased air pressure have on the speed of sound?

Increased air pressure does not significantly affect the speed of sound in a uniform medium like air under typical conditions. The speed of sound in air is primarily influenced by the medium's temperature. While denser air—caused by increased pressure—might suggest that sound would travel faster, it is important to recognize that temperature plays a much more critical role.

When air pressure increases, the density of air also increases if the temperature remains constant. However, the speed of sound is determined by the properties of the gas, including temperature and molecular composition rather than just density. Therefore, at a constant temperature, raising the pressure does not change the speed of sound significantly.

Thus, it is the temperature that primarily dictates the speed, while changes in pressure at a constant temperature have little to no impact, which aligns with the concept that increased air pressure has no effect on the speed of sound in air.