Explanation:

Sound is a form of mechanical wave that requires a medium to travel through. It travels in the form of compressions and rarefactions of the particles in the medium. The speed of sound depends on the properties of the medium it is traveling through.

Faster in solids and liquids than in air:
- Sound waves travel faster in solids and liquids compared to air because the particles in solids and liquids are closer together and more tightly packed. This allows for faster transmission of the compressions and rarefactions through the medium.
- In solids, the particles are tightly packed and have strong intermolecular forces, which helps in transmitting sound waves quickly.
- In liquids, the particles are relatively close together and can also transmit sound waves faster than in gases.
- In contrast, in gases like air, the particles are more spread out and have weaker intermolecular forces, resulting in slower transmission of sound waves.

Slower in water than air:
- Sound waves travel faster in air compared to water. Water is denser than air, which means that the particles in water are more closely packed together.
- The denser medium of water causes the sound waves to travel at a slower speed compared to air.
- Additionally, water is a better conductor of sound than air, which means that sound waves can travel over longer distances in water.
- However, the speed of sound in water is still much faster than in solids or liquids.

Therefore, option B is correct as sound waves travel faster in solids and liquids compared to air.