Question
The speed of sound in different media at increasing temperatures is shown in the data table below.
Speed of Sound in Different Media at Increasing Temperatures
Temperature (C)
0
10
20
30
Speed of sound in freshwater (m/s)
1,403
1,490
1,522
1,546
Speed of sound in seawater (m/s)
1,449
1,447
1,522
1,546
Speed of sound in air (m/s)
331
337
343
355
Why does sound travel the slowest in air?
(1 point)
The wind blocks the sound waves and carries them in all directions.
The kinetic energy of the molecules of air is too low to transport sound waves.
The distance between molecules of air is greater than for molecules of water.
The temperature of air varies more than the temperature of water.
Speed of Sound in Different Media at Increasing Temperatures
Temperature (C)
0
10
20
30
Speed of sound in freshwater (m/s)
1,403
1,490
1,522
1,546
Speed of sound in seawater (m/s)
1,449
1,447
1,522
1,546
Speed of sound in air (m/s)
331
337
343
355
Why does sound travel the slowest in air?
(1 point)
The wind blocks the sound waves and carries them in all directions.
The kinetic energy of the molecules of air is too low to transport sound waves.
The distance between molecules of air is greater than for molecules of water.
The temperature of air varies more than the temperature of water.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct answer is:
**The distance between molecules of air is greater than for molecules of water.**
Sound travels more slowly in air compared to water because air is much less dense, meaning the molecules are further apart. In denser mediums like water, molecules are closer together, allowing sound waves to be transferred more efficiently through molecular collisions.
**The distance between molecules of air is greater than for molecules of water.**
Sound travels more slowly in air compared to water because air is much less dense, meaning the molecules are further apart. In denser mediums like water, molecules are closer together, allowing sound waves to be transferred more efficiently through molecular collisions.