The speed of sound waves in a substance is influenced by both its density and its elasticity. Generally, sound travels faster in solids than in liquids, and faster in liquids than in gases due to differences in molecular spacing and bonding.
Among the substances listed:
- Air has a very low density and is a gas, which results in slower sound speed.
- Water, being a liquid, allows sound to travel faster than in air but slower than in solids.
- Steel and Copper are both solids, and sound travels much faster in solids than in liquids and gases.
In general, the speed of sound is greater in materials with higher density and elasticity. Copper has a higher density than steel (6,420 g/cm³ vs. 5,000 g/cm³) and also excellent elasticity since metals are typically very rigid.
Therefore, the substance in which it is likely that the speed of sound waves is the highest is Copper.
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