Sound travels most rapidly through which of the following?

Question

Wood

Air

Steel

Water

I really need help I read through the selection I had and it said nothing, I think the answer is Water but I am not sure.

I have a strong feeling alot of people are going to give me more to read, and it's stuff I can't even comprehend, someone just answer the question and support their answer a little without all the confusing words and examples, Please?

Answer 1

Sound travels at different speeds depending on what it is traveling through. Of the three mediums (gas, liquid, and solid) sound waves travel the slowest through gases, faster through liquids, and fastest through solids. Temperature also affects the speed of sound.
Gases:

The speed of sound depends upon the properties of the medium it is passing through. When we look at the properties of a gas, we see that only when molecules collide with each other can the condensations and rarefactions of a sound wave move about. So, it makes sense that the speed of sound has the same order of magnitude as the average molecular speed between collisions. In a gas, it is particularly important to know the temperature. This is because at lower temperatures, molecules collide more often, giving the sound wave more chances to move around rapidly. At freezing (0º Celcius), sound travels through air at 331 meters per second (about 740 mph). But, at 20ºC, room temperature, sound travels at 343 meters per second (767 mph).

Liquids:

Sound travels faster in liquids than in gases because molecules are more tightly packed. In fresh water, sound waves travel at 1,482 meters per second (about 3,315 mph). That's well over 4 times faster than in air! Several ocean-dwelling animals rely upon sound waves to communicate with other animals and to locate food and obstacles. The reason that they are able to effectively use this method of communication over long distances is that sound travels so much faster in water.

Solids:

Sound travels fastest through solids. This is because molecules in a solid medium are much closer together than those in a liquid or gas, allowing sound waves to travel more quickly through it. In fact, sound waves travel over 17 times faster through steel than through air. The exact speed of sound in steel is 5,960 meters per second (13,332 mph)! But, this is only for the majority of solids. The speed of sound in all solids are not faster than in all liquids

Answer 2

Umm, it's either steel or wood. I think it's steel.

Sound travels faster and farther in materials or media who's particles are very close together. The closer the molecules are, the easier sound energy (vibrations) from one molecule to another, thus it travels faster.

Usually, the fastest would be in solids, next is liquids, and lastly, gases. Between steel and wood, I'd say steel because wood is more hollow, so it has more spaces between compared to steel.

Answer 3

Thunder is the sound made by potential of lightning. reckoning on the character of the lightning and distance of the hearer, it could selection from a pointy, loud crack to a protracted, low rumble. The unexpected improve in rigidity and temperature from lightning produces rapid improve of the air surrounding and interior a bolt of lightning. In turn, this improve of air produces a sonic ask your self wave which produces the sound of thunder.

Answer 4

Please click on and read from the following:

http://www.answers.com/topic/sound-1

Specifically from that source:


"The velocity of sound is not constant, however, for it varies in different media and in the same medium at different temperatures. For example, in air at 0°C. it is approximately 1,089 ft per second, but at 20°C. it is increased to about 1,130 ft per second, or an increase of about 2 ft per second for every centigrade degree rise in temperature. Sound travels more slowly in gases than in liquids, and more slowly in liquids than in solids. Since the ability to conduct sound is dependent on the density of the medium, solids are better conductors than liquids, liquids are better conductors than gases."

Answer 5

The answer is steel. The denser (stronger) the substance, the faster sound will travel through it.

Answer 6

It relates to the density of the medium, so of those you listed it would be steel.

Answer 7

air

Answer 8

I think it is air.