First Sound in Liquid Helium at High Pressures

The velocity of ordinary sound in liquid helium has been measured in the temperature range from 1.2 °K. to 4.2 °K. at pressures up to 69 atm. A pulse technique was used with a carrier frequency of 12 Mc.p.s. Curves are given for the variation of velocity with temperature at constant pressure and also at constant density. There is no detectable discontinuity along the λ-curve. The results are used to discuss the ratio of the specific heats, the coefficient of expansion below 0.6 °K., and the specific heat above 3 °K.