The table shows the speed of sound in freshwater, seawater and air at different temperatures.
Speed of Sound in Different Media at Increasing Temperatures
Temperature (°C) 0 10 20 30
Speed of sound in freshwater (m/s) 1,403 1,447 1,481 1,507
Speed of sound in seawater (m/s) 1,449 1,490 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)
Responses
The kinetic energy of the molecules of air is too low to transport sound waves.
The kinetic energy of the molecules of air is too low to transport sound waves.
The wind blocks the sound waves and carries them in all directions.
The wind blocks the sound waves and carries them in all directions.
The distance between molecules of air is greater than for molecules of water.
The distance between molecules of air is greater than for molecules of water.
The temperature
1 answer
The correct response is:
The distance between molecules of air is greater than for molecules of water.
This explains why sound travels slower in air compared to water. In air, the molecules are more spread out, which means that sound waves, which rely on the collisions and vibrations of nearby molecules to propagate, have a harder time traveling through it compared to the closer-packed molecules in liquids like freshwater and seawater.
