Iron is a solid, therefore all the particles are closer together, kind of like a gigantic crowd smushed together. Air is a gas, therefore the particles are farther apart, kind of like a crowd where there is plenty of space inbetween people. Sound is a vibration that travels in waves. This transfer of energy goes quicker when the particles are closer together (less time it takes to transfer energy to the next particel). Think of it like this, if in the gigantic crowd smushed together, someone were to fall, they would be really close to people and would make them fall right away with them, but in the smaller crowd, the person falling would probably have to fall longer in order to make other people fall. I hope that helps!!!
2007-01-24 09:25:26
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answer #2
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answered by Cantad al Senor!!!! 2
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The speed of sound equals √(Mb/d) where Mb is the bulk modlus and d is the density. This value is much higher for iron than air, ergo the sonic velocity is much higher.
2007-01-24 09:53:45
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answer #3
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answered by Steve 7
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