Question

In which of the following medium speed of the sound is maximum?
A. steel
B. wood
C. water
D. air
E. helium

Answer 1

Velocity of sound will be different in different media. If the velocity of sound is higher in one medium and lesser in another medium then the first one is called rarer medium and the second one is called denser medium.

Complete answer:
There are two kinds of waves normally. One will be a transverse wave and the other will be a longitudinal wave. In case of transverse waves the direction of propagation of waves is perpendicular to the direction of vibration of the particles of the medium. Transverse wave has crests and troughs. In case of the longitudinal wave particles of the medium of propagation vibrates in the direction of propagation of the wave. This longitudinal wave has compressions and rarefactions. In case of longitudinal waves particles vibrate in to and fro motion. Transverse waves can propagate without medium too whereas longitudinal waves require medium to propagate. Example for transverse waves is light whereas for the longitudinal wave is sound.

Velocity of sound depends upon density mainly. As density of the medium increases sound travelling velocity also increases.
Out of all the options given steel has the maximum density and hence velocity of sound in the steel will be higher than in all other given media.

So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note:
When we put our ear on the railway track rail we can hear the sound of he train coming from longer distance rather than when we hear normally because velocity of sound travels faster in that rail as its density is more than air density and during rainy day speed of sound decreases because density of air gets decreased during rainy day and velocity of travelling sound also decreases.