Explanation:

Sound is a form of mechanical energy that travels through a medium in the form of waves. The speed of sound depends on the properties of the medium through which it travels. Solids, liquids, and gases are all mediums through which sound can travel, but sound travels faster in solids compared to gases. This can be explained by the following factors:

Molecular Arrangement:
In solids, the molecules are tightly packed and closely arranged in a regular pattern. This close arrangement allows sound waves to easily pass from one molecule to another, transmitting the energy faster. On the other hand, in gases, the molecules are far apart and move randomly. This random motion hinders the transmission of sound waves, resulting in slower sound propagation.

Elasticity:
Another factor that affects the speed of sound is the elasticity of the medium. Solids have a higher degree of elasticity compared to gases. When a sound wave passes through a solid, the molecules vibrate and return to their original position quickly due to the strong intermolecular forces. This elastic behavior allows the sound wave to propagate faster. In gases, however, the molecules have weaker intermolecular forces and take longer to return to their original position, leading to slower sound propagation.

Density:
The density of the medium also plays a role in the speed of sound. Solids have a higher density compared to gases. The denser the medium, the closer the molecules are to each other, allowing sound waves to travel faster. In gases, the low density and large gaps between molecules hinder the transmission of sound waves, resulting in slower speed.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, sound travels faster in solids compared to gases because of the closely packed molecular arrangement, higher degree of elasticity, and higher density of solids. These factors enable sound waves to propagate more efficiently through solids, while gases with their random molecular motion and low density tend to slow down the transmission of sound.