List the following mediums in order from fastest to slowest in terms of sound wave speed. Air (20°C), Water (20°C), Glass, Water (0°C), Seawater (20°C).
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The speed of sound varies based on the medium through which it travels. Sound waves travel at different speeds depending on the density, elasticity, and temperature of the medium. The general rule is that sound travels fastest in solids, slower in liquids, and slowest in gases.
To list the given mediums from fastest to slowest in terms of sound wave speed:
- Glass
- Seawater (20°C)
- Water (20°C)
- Air (20°C)
- Water (0°C)
Explanation:
Glass has the fastest speed of sound. It is a solid medium with high density and elasticity, which allows sound waves to propagate more quickly than in liquids or gases. The speed of sound in glass is approximately 5000 m/s, which is much higher compared to water and air.
Seawater (20°C) is the second-fastest medium. Seawater contains dissolved salts, which increase its density and improve its ability to transmit sound faster than pure water. At 20°C, the speed of sound in seawater is around 1500 m/s, which is faster than sound in fresh water due to the higher density of seawater.
Water (20°C) is a liquid medium with a speed of sound around 1482 m/s. Water is denser and more elastic than air, which causes sound to travel faster through water than through air. However, it is slower than sound in seawater due to the lack of dissolved salts.
Air (20°C) has the slowest speed of sound at 343 m/s. Air is a gas, and the speed of sound is greatly influenced by its temperature. The higher the temperature, the faster sound travels in air. At 20°C, air is relatively less dense and less elastic than liquids and solids, which is why sound travels slower in it.
Water (0°C) has the slowest speed of sound among the listed liquids. At 0°C, water is colder and denser, which causes the sound waves to travel more slowly than at 20°C. The speed of sound in water at 0°C is approximately 1400 m/s, slower than in water at 20°C, seawater, and glass.