Question

From the given options, the speed of sound is highest in which material ?
1. Hydrogen
2. Aluminium
3. Oxygen
4. Water

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Aluminium

Explanation:

• Out of the following, speed of sound is maximum in Aluminium.
• Speed of sound in Aluminium at 25 deg Celsius is around 6420 m/s.
• The matter or substance through which sound is transmitted is called a medium. It can be solid, liquid or gas.
• Sound is a mechanical wave and needs a material medium for its propagation. It cannot travel through a vacuum.

Sound travels at different speeds depending on what it is travelling 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.
• For Example, at 0º Celcius, sound travels through air at 331 meters per second, but, at 20ºC, room temperature, sound travels at 343 meters per second.