To solve the problem of determining the correct ranking of waves based on the time it will take for one wavelength to pass a certain point, we need to understand how temperature influences the speed of sound in a solid medium. The general principle is that the speed of sound in a solid medium increases with temperature.
Given the observations of temperatures for each wave:
- Wave \( W \) at 15°C,
- Wave \( X \) at 33°C,
- Wave \( Y \) at 12°C,
- Wave \( Z \) at 2°C,
we will rank the waves from the highest temperature to the lowest temperature since a higher temperature corresponds to a faster speed of sound. Consequently, the fastest wave will be the one at the highest temperature, and the slowest will be at the lowest temperature.
Here is the ordered list from the highest to the lowest temperature:
1. Wave \( X \) at 33°C
2. Wave \( W \) at 15°C
3. Wave \( Y \) at 12°C
4. Wave \( Z \) at 2°C
Thus, the correct ranking from fastest to slowest is:
- Wave \( X \rightarrow \) Wave \( W \rightarrow \) Wave \( Y \rightarrow \) Wave \( Z \)
Therefore, the correct choice is:
Wave [tex]\( X \rightarrow \)[/tex] Wave [tex]\( W \rightarrow \)[/tex] Wave [tex]\( Y \rightarrow \)[/tex] Wave [tex]\( Z \)[/tex]
