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Use the information and table to answer the following question.

Medium

Speed of Sound (m/s)

Speed of Light (m/s)

Air

343

299,792,458

Water

1,480

225,000,000

Steel

5,960

200,000,000

Vacuum (space)

0

299,792,458

Based on the provided data, which conclusion can be drawn about the relationship between different media and the speed of sound and light waves?

Question 18 options:

Sound waves and light waves both travel slower in denser media.

Sound waves travel faster in less dense media, while light waves travel faster in denser media.

Sound waves always travel faster in denser media, while light waves travel faster in less dense media.

Sound waves and light waves both travel faster in denser media.

Pag

1 answer

To analyze the relationship between different media and the speed of sound and light waves, we can refer to the provided data:

  1. 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)

  2. 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:

  • 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).

  • 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:

  1. Sound waves travel faster in denser media (e.g., from air to steel).
  2. 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.