Question

Choose the correct option comparing the speed of sound in different media.

• A. Steel $<$ Seawater $<$ Oxygen
• B. Oxygen $<$ Seawater $<$ Steel
• C. Oxygen $<$ Steel $<$ Seawater
• D. Steel $<$ Oxygen $<$ Seawater

Answer 1

The correct option is B Oxygen $<$ Seawater $<$ Steel

The speed of sound decreases as we go from solid to liquid state and from liquid to gaseous state. This happens because elasticity decreases from solids to liquids to gases. More the elasticity, more is the speed of sound. Speed of sound also depends inversely on density of the substance through it is propagating.