The constant term
331.4 in
S(T)=0.6T+331.4 is the value of S when
T=0.The value
T=0 corresponds to a temperature of
0°C. Since S(T) represents the speed of sound,
331.4 is the speed of sound, in meters per second, when the temperature is
0°C.
Choice B is incorrect. When
T=0.6°C,S(T)=0.6(0.6)+331.4=331.76, not 331.4,
meters per second. Choice C is incorrect. Based on the given formula, the speed of sound increases by
0.6 meters per second for every increase of temperature by
1°C, as shown by the equation
0.6(T+1)+331.4=(0.6T+331.4)+0.6. Choice D is incorrect. An increase in the speed of sound, in meters per second, that corresponds to an increase of
0.6°C is
0.6(0.6)=0.36.