Question

In which of the following media is the sonic velocity the greatest: air, steel, or water? Does sound propagate in a vacuum?

Short answer

The sonic velocity is greatest in steel. Sound does not propagate in a vacuum.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Sonic Velocity

Sonic velocity, also known as the speed of sound, refers to how quickly sound waves travel through a medium. It can vary significantly based on the type of medium (solid, liquid, or gas).

Compare Media Types

To compare, note that sound travels through gases (like air), liquids (like water), and solids (like steel) at different speeds. Solids generally conduct sound faster than liquids, and liquids faster than gases.

Speed of Sound in Different Media

The speed of sound in air is approximately 343 meters per second (m/s), in water is about 1482 m/s, and in steel, it is around 5960 m/s. Clearly, sound travels fastest in steel.

Sound Propagation in a Vacuum

Sound requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel through because it propagates via vibrations of particles. In a vacuum, there are no particles to vibrate, so sound cannot propagate.

Conclusion

Therefore, the sonic velocity is greatest in steel among air, water, and steel. Additionally, sound does not propagate in a vacuum.

Key concepts

sonic velocity

Sonic velocity, or the speed of sound, represents the rate at which sound waves travel through a medium. The speed varies depending on the type of medium. Unlike light, which can travel through a vacuum, sound requires a physical medium to move. This is because sound waves are generated by the vibration of particles. When these particles vibrate, they transfer energy to nearby particles, creating a wave. The sonic velocity depends on how quickly these particles can transmit their energy to neighbors. This is faster in densly packed particles structures.

medium comparison

Different media affect the speed of sound in various ways. Generally, solids allow sound to travel faster than liquids, and liquids faster than gases. This happens because particles in solid materials are tightly packed together. For example:

• In air, which is a gas, sound travels at roughly 343 meters per second (m/s).
• In water, a liquid, sound travels faster at approximately 1482 m/s.
• In a solid like steel, sound waves zip through at around 5960 m/s.

Therefore, the sonic velocity is highest in steel among air, water, and steel.

sound propagation

Sound propagation requires a medium, whether it's a solid, liquid, or gas. This is a fundamental reason why sound cannot travel in a vacuum, where there are no particles to carry the vibrations. The process of sound propagation involves particles in the medium vibrating and transferring their energy to neighboring particles. Without these particles, as in outer space, sound has no pathway to travel. It’s these vibrational sequences that carry the sound waves from one place to another.