Why do different rooms sound different?

Answer: Surfaces reflect sound differently

Air temperature varies by room — Wrong. While temperature does affect sound speed slightly (sound travels about 0.6 m/s faster per degree Celsius), this isn't why rooms sound different acoustically. The main factors are surface materials, room geometry, and objects in the space that absorb or reflect sound waves.

Surfaces reflect sound differently ✓ — Correct! Different surfaces absorb and reflect sound differently. Hard surfaces (tile, concrete, glass) reflect sound creating echoes and reverb. Soft surfaces (carpet, curtains, furniture) absorb sound reducing echoes. Concert halls use acoustic panels strategically. Empty rooms sound 'hollow' because hard walls reflect sound; furnished rooms sound 'warmer' because objects absorb sound.

Room size doesn't affect sound — Wrong. Room size significantly affects acoustics through resonance and reflection patterns. Large rooms create longer echo delays and can resonate at lower frequencies. Small rooms have shorter echoes and resonate at higher frequencies. Cathedral acoustics differ dramatically from bathroom acoustics precisely because of size differences.