To understand the speed of sound in different states of matter, we need to analyze how sound travels through different mediums: solids, liquids, and gases.
1. Speed of Sound in Ice (Solid):
- Speed: \(3200 \, m/s\)
- Explanation: Sound travels fastest in ice because the molecules in a solid are tightly packed together. This close proximity allows the sound waves, which are essentially vibrations, to transfer energy more efficiently from one molecule to the next. Therefore, the correct reason is:
- Correct Reason: "Sound travels fastest in ice because energy is easier to transfer when the molecules are close together."
2. Speed of Sound in Water (Liquid):
- Speed: \(1500 \, m/s\)
- This speed is slower than in ice but faster compared to steam. In liquids, the molecules are more spread out than in solids, but they are still closer than in gases, allowing for relatively efficient energy transfer.
3. Speed of Sound in Steam (Gas):
- Speed: \(346 \, m/s\)
- Explanation: Sound travels slowest in steam because the molecules in a gas are far apart compared to those in liquids and solids. This large distance means that the sound waves have to travel farther to transfer energy between molecules, making the process less efficient. Therefore, the correct reason is:
- Correct Reason: "Sound travels slowest in steam because the sound has to move around the gas molecules that are far apart."
4. Incorrect Explanations:
- "Sound travels fastest in ice because the temperature of solids is always greater, so the heat transfers the sound energy."
- This is incorrect because the primary reason sound travels fast in solids is due to the molecular density, not temperature.
- "Sound travels slowest in steam because the pressure is so great the sound cannot travel though the steam particles."
- This is incorrect because the pressure in steam (a gas) is not the limiting factor; it is the distance between molecules that affects sound speed.
Therefore, the best explanations for the speed of sound in different states of matter are:
- Correct Reason 1: "Sound travels fastest in ice because energy is easier to transfer when the molecules are close together."
- Correct Reason 2: "Sound travels slowest in steam because the sound has to move around the gas molecules that are far apart."
