In which medium is the speed of sound maximum?
Answer
The speed of sound is maximum in solids, because their high elasticity and closely packed particles transmit the vibrations fastest.
The working
Order of speed
Sound travels fastest in solids, slower in liquids, and slowest in gases. So solid > liquid > gas for the speed of sound.
Reason
Solids have very high elasticity (stiffness), and their tightly bound particles pass on the disturbance more quickly to neighbouring particles.
Role of density
Speed depends on the ratio of elasticity to density. In solids the large elasticity dominates, so sound moves faster despite higher density.
Rough values
Sound moves at about 340 m/s in air, near 1500 m/s in water, and around 5000 m/s in steel.
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