Question

Sort the following media according to the velocity of sound through them in ascending order at the same temperature:

• A. $4-1-5-2-3$
• B. $3-5-2-4-1$
• C. $4-1-2-5-3$
• D. $2-4-1-3-5$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $4-1-2-5-3$

Sound travels the fastest in solids and the slowest in gases. Also, sound travels faster in a gas at higher temperature than it does at lower temperature. And it travels faster in liquids than in gases. Therefore, the correct increasing order of the velocity of sound in the given media is:

• Air at $25{}^{\circ }\text{C}$ $\approx 346{\text{m s}}^{-1}$
• Air at $40{}^{\circ }\text{C}$ $\approx 355{\text{m s}}^{-1}$
• Kerosene $\approx 1324{\text{m s}}^{-1}$
• Water $\approx 1500{\text{m s}}^{-1}$
• Iron $\approx 5950{\text{m s}}^{-1}$

Hence, the correct answer is $4-1-2-5-3$.