Understanding Sound Travel in Different Media
Sound is a mechanical wave that requires a medium to propagate. The speed of sound varies across different media due to their physical properties such as density and elasticity.
Speed of Sound in Different Media
- Air: The speed of sound in air at room temperature (20°C) is approximately 343 meters per second (m/s). Air is a gas with low density and elasticity, which contributes to a slower speed of sound.
- Water: In water, sound travels faster than in air, with a speed of about 1482 m/s at room temperature. Water is denser than air, providing a medium through which sound waves can transmit more effectively.
- Steel: The speed of sound in steel is significantly faster, reaching around 5000 m/s. Steel is a solid material with high density and strong intermolecular forces, allowing sound waves to travel more quickly compared to both air and water.
Conclusion
Thus, among the listed options, sound travels the fastest in steel. The correct answer is indeed option 'C', as sound travels fastest in solids due to their molecular structure and the ease with which vibrations can be transmitted through them.
Key Takeaway
- Sound travels fastest in solids (like steel), slower in liquids (like water), and slowest in gases (like air).
Understanding these principles helps in various applications, from engineering to environmental science, highlighting the importance of medium in sound propagation.