Question
The speed of sound in different media at increasing temperatures is shown in the data table below.
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 temperature of air varies more than the temperature of water.
The temperature of air varies more than the temperature of water.
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 kinetic energy of the molecules of air is too low to transport sound waves.
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 temperature of air varies more than the temperature of water.
The temperature of air varies more than the temperature of water.
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 kinetic energy of the molecules of air is too low to transport sound waves.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct response is:
**The distance between molecules of air is greater than for molecules of water.**
Sound travels slower in air compared to water because the molecules in gases like air are further apart than in liquids like water. This greater distance between molecules makes it harder for sound waves, which rely on molecular collisions to propagate, to travel through air efficiently.
**The distance between molecules of air is greater than for molecules of water.**
Sound travels slower in air compared to water because the molecules in gases like air are further apart than in liquids like water. This greater distance between molecules makes it harder for sound waves, which rely on molecular collisions to propagate, to travel through air efficiently.