Question

The velocity of sound will be highest in-
1. Water
2. Silver
3. Gas
4. Steel

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Steel

Explanation: 

Sound is a mechanical wave that needs a medium to travel.

• The speed of sound is maximum in solid, then it is in liquid and it is the slowest in gases.
• The speed of sound remains almost the same for all frequencies in a given medium under the same physical conditions.

• The speed of the sound depends on the density of the medium through which it is travelling.
• The particles in the solid medium are closely packed. Hence, the density is high. Information from one molecule to another molecule travels faster in the solid medium.
• The velocity of sound is highest in steel.
• In liquid, the molecules are farther apart than in solids. Hence, the density is low for liquids.
• In gas, the molecules are very loosely dispersed. The speed of the sound wave will be maximum in steel. 

• The velocity of sound waves in air is 330 m/s. 
• The velocity of sound waves in steel is 5920 m/s. 
• The velocity of sound waves in a vacuum is zero. 
• The velocity of sound waves in water is 1480 m/s.