Medium

Question

Speed of

Sound (m/s)

Air 343
Glass 5,640
Steel 5,940
Water 1,433
The table shows the speed of sound in various media. Which list orders the media from shortest wavelength to longest wavelength for sound waves that pass through them?

(1 point)
Responses

air, water, glass, steel
air, water, glass, steel

air, steel, glass, water
air, steel, glass, water

steel, glass, water, air
steel, glass, water, air

glass, steel, air, water

Answer 1

To determine the order of media from shortest wavelength to longest wavelength for sound waves, we can use the formula for wavelength:

\[ \text{Wavelength} = \frac{\text{Speed of Sound}}{\text{Frequency}} \]

Since the frequency of sound is constant when comparing the media in this context, the wavelength is inversely proportional to the speed of sound. This means that the medium with the highest speed of sound will have the shortest wavelength, and the medium with the lowest speed of sound will have the longest wavelength.

Using the speeds of sound from the table:

• Air: 343 m/s
• Water: 1,433 m/s
• Glass: 5,640 m/s
• Steel: 5,940 m/s

Ordering these from shortest wavelength (highest speed) to longest wavelength (lowest speed):

1. Steel (5,940 m/s)
2. Glass (5,640 m/s)
3. Water (1,433 m/s)
4. Air (343 m/s)

Thus, the correct order from shortest wavelength to longest wavelength is:

steel, glass, water, air

The answer is: steel, glass, water, air.