Question

4x Below is a table detailing the speed of sound through various solids.
Speed of Sound in Solids
Solid
Density (g/cm3)
Speed (m/s)
Cork
0.25
500
Brick
1.80
3,650
Glass
2.24
4,540
Steel
7.90
5,000
Which of the following statements is most accurate?
The speed of sound decreases as density of a substance increases.
4x
B
The speed of sound increases as density of a substance decreases.
C
The speed of sound increases as density of a substance increases.
D There is no relationship between the density of a substance and the speed of sound.

Answer 1

To determine the most accurate statement regarding the relationship between the density of a substance and the speed of sound, let's analyze the provided data:

- **Cork**: Density = 0.25 g/cm³, Speed = 500 m/s
- **Brick**: Density = 1.80 g/cm³, Speed = 3,650 m/s
- **Glass**: Density = 2.24 g/cm³, Speed = 4,540 m/s
- **Steel**: Density = 7.90 g/cm³, Speed = 5,000 m/s

Now let’s observe the patterns:

- When moving from cork (lowest density) to brick, glass, and then steel (higher densities), the speed of sound tends to increase:
- Cork (0.25 g/cm³) has the lowest speed (500 m/s).
- Brick (1.80 g/cm³) has a speed of 3,650 m/s.
- Glass (2.24 g/cm³) has a speed of 4,540 m/s.
- Steel (7.90 g/cm³) has a speed of 5,000 m/s.

From this data, we can conclude that in general, as density increases, the speed of sound in these materials also increases, contradicting statements A and B.

Therefore, the most accurate statement is:

**C: The speed of sound increases as density of a substance increases.**