Question

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

• A. Aluminium
• B. Copper
• C. Seawater
• D. Kerosene
• E. Air

Answer 1

Sound travels faster in solids than in liquids, and faster in liquids than in gases. So, it travels the slowest in air among the given media. The following are the velocities of sound in the given media in descending order:

• Aluminium = $6420{\text{m s}}^{-1}$
• Copper = $5010{\text{m s}}^{-1}$
• Seawater = $1530{\text{m s}}^{-1}$
• Kerosene = $1325{\text{m s}}^{-1}$
• Air = $330{\text{m s}}^{-1}$