When we put our ear to a railway line, we can hear the sound of an approaching train even when the train is far off but its sound cannot be heard through the air. Why?

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Solution

Sound travels about 15 times faster in iron (or steel) than in air. So, sound travels much faster through the railway track made of steel than through air. That is why we can hear the sound of an approaching train even when the train is far off but its sound cannot be heard through the air.

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Similar questions

(a) When we put our ear to a railway line, we can hear the sound of an approaching train even when the train is far off but its sound cannot be heard through the air. Why ?

(b) How could you convince a small child that when you speak, it is not necessary for air to travel from your mouth to the ear of a listener ?

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