Sound waves move the slowest through which medium? water ice air wood
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: Air
Sound waves travel slowest through air compared to water, ice, and wood.
Explanation
Sound is a mechanical wave that travels by vibrating particles in a medium. The speed of sound depends on the medium’s density and elasticity (how easily particles return to their original position after being disturbed). Generally, sound travels faster in solids, slower in liquids, and slowest in gases. This is because:
- Solids have tightly packed particles and high elasticity, allowing vibrations to pass quickly.
- Liquids have less tightly packed particles than solids, so sound moves more slowly.
- Gases, like air, have loosely packed particles, resulting in much slower transmission of sound.
Now, let’s compare the given options:
- Air (Gas)
Sound travels at about 343 meters per second (m/s) in dry air at room temperature. Because the particles are far apart, collisions between them happen less frequently, slowing down wave propagation. - Water (Liquid)
Sound moves faster in water than in air, at about 1,480 m/s. The closer spacing of molecules allows vibrations to transmit more efficiently. - Ice (Solid)
Being a solid form of water, ice allows sound to travel even faster than in liquid water. The speed of sound in ice is around 3,200 m/s, thanks to its crystalline, rigid structure. - Wood (Solid)
Wood, depending on type and moisture, allows sound to travel between 3,000–5,000 m/s. As a solid, its particles are closely bonded, offering little resistance to sound propagation.
In conclusion, sound waves travel slowest through air because it is a gas with low density and low elasticity compared to liquids and solids. This explains why you can hear someone talking underwater (if both of you are submerged) more clearly than if they’re shouting from across a windy field.
