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 wind blocks the sound waves and carries them in all directions.
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 kinetic energy of the molecules of air is too low to transport sound waves.
The temperature of air varies more than the temperature of water.
The temperature of air varies more than the temperature of water.
The distance between molecules of air is greater than for molecules of water.
1 answer
The correct response is:
The distance between molecules of air is greater than for molecules of water.
Sound travels through a medium by causing its molecules to vibrate and pass the sound energy along. In air, the molecules are more widely spaced compared to those in water (both freshwater and seawater), which results in less efficient transfer of sound waves, causing sound to travel slower in air.
