To analyze the relationship between different media and the speed of sound and light waves, we can refer to the provided data:
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Speed of Sound:
- Air: 343 m/s
- Water: 1,480 m/s
- Steel: 5,960 m/s
- Vacuum: 0 m/s (not applicable since sound cannot travel in a vacuum)
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Speed of Light:
- Air: 299,792,458 m/s
- Water: 225,000,000 m/s
- Steel: 200,000,000 m/s
- Vacuum: 299,792,458 m/s
Observations:
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Speed of Sound:
- The speed of sound increases as the medium becomes denser: sound travels slower in air (least dense), faster in water (more dense than air), and fastest in steel (most dense).
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Speed of Light:
- The speed of light decreases as the medium becomes denser: light travels fastest in a vacuum (least dense), slower in air, slower still in water, and slowest in steel (most dense).
Conclusion:
- Sound waves travel faster in denser media (e.g., from air to steel).
- Light waves travel slower in denser media (e.g., from vacuum to steel).
Answer:
Based on this analysis, the correct conclusion from the options provided is:
Sound waves travel faster in less dense media, while light waves travel faster in denser media.