Question

The speed of sound in a medium depends on
(a) the elastic property but not on the inertia property
(b) the inertia property but not on the elastic property
(c) the elastic property as well as the inertia property
(d) neither the elastic property nor the inertia property.

Answer 1

(c) the elastic property as well as the inertia property

Propagation of any wave through a medium depends on whether it is elastic and possesses inertia. A wave needs to oscillate (elastic property) for it to be propagated and if it does not have inertia, the oscillations won't keep on moving to and fro about the mean position.