A science student conducts an investigation to compare the speed of light waves to sound waves traveling through different mediums. She sends the same light and sound waves from the air through the same solid, liquid, and gas. She records the speed of each wave as it travels through each medium. Which data table most likely demonstrates her results? (1 point)

Question

Medium
Speed of Light (m/s)
Speed of Sound (km/s)
solid
343
299,700
liquid
1,484
225,000
gas
4,540
200,000
Medium

Speed of Light (km/s) Speed of Sound (m/s)
solid
200,000
4,540
liquid
225,000
1,484
gas
299,700
343
Medium

Speed of Light (km/s) Speed of Sound (m/s)
solid
299,700
343
liquid
225,000
1,484
gas
200,000
4,540
Medium

Speed of Light (m/s) Speed of Sound (km/s)
solid
4,540
200,000
liquid
1,484
225,000
gas
343
299,700

Answer 1

To determine which data table most likely demonstrates the results of the science student's investigation comparing the speeds of light and sound waves through different mediums, we first need to understand the typical speeds of light and sound in various mediums.

1. Speed of Light:

   • In a vacuum (and nearly in air), the speed of light is approximately 299,792 km/s (or about 300,000 km/s).
   • Speed of light decreases in other mediums: approximately 225,000 km/s in water, and even slower in solids, depending on the material (but generally still over 200,000 km/s).

2. Speed of Sound:

   • The speed of sound varies widely with medium:
     • In air: approximately 343 m/s.
     • In water (liquid): approximately 1,484 m/s.
     • In solids: can be about 5,000 m/s or higher depending on the material, but generally around 4,500-6,000 m/s in many solids.

Now, let's evaluate the provided options for the appropriate representation of her findings:

1. Option 1:

   • Solid: Speed of Light = 299,700 m/s; Speed of Sound = 343 km/s (not correct).
   • Liquid: Speed of Light = 1,484 m/s; Speed of Sound = 225,000 km/s (not correct).
   • Gas: Speed of Light = 4,540 m/s; Speed of Sound = 200,000 km/s (not correct).

2. Option 2:

   • Solid: Speed of Light = 200,000 km/s; Speed of Sound = 4,540 m/s (seems incorrect for sound).
   • Liquid: Speed of Light = 225,000 km/s; Speed of Sound = 1,484 m/s (better, but still light's speeds seem too low).
   • Gas: Speed of Light = 299,700 km/s; Speed of Sound = 343 m/s (sounds reasonable).

3. Option 3:

   • Solid: Speed of Light = 299,700 km/s; Speed of Sound = 343 m/s (incorrect).
   • Liquid: Speed of Light = 225,000 km/s; Speed of Sound = 1,484 m/s (better).
   • Gas: Speed of Light = 200,000 km/s; Speed of Sound = 4,540 m/s (not reasonable).

4. Option 4:

   • Solid: Speed of Light = 4,540 m/s; Speed of Sound = 200,000 km/s (not correct).
   • Liquid: Speed of Light = 1,484 m/s; Speed of Sound = 225,000 km/s (not reasonable).
   • Gas: Speed of Light = 343 m/s; Speed of Sound = 299,700 km/s (not correct).

Considering the analysis above, Option 2 is the most reasonable, as it maintains realistic ranges of speeds for both light and sound across different mediums, despite a couple of values still appearing somewhat off.

Final answer: Option 2