Acoustics: Order of increasing speed of sound across media Considering typical room conditions, arrange media so that the velocity of sound increases in the correct order from least to greatest. Choose the correct option.
IIT JEE
Physics
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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ASteel, Water, Air
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BAir, Water, Steel
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CWater, Air, Steel
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DAir, Steel, Water
Answer
Correct Answer: Air, Water, Steel
Explanation
ConceptSound speed increases with bulk modulus and decreases with density; generally vgas < vliquid < vsolid.
Typical valuesAir ≈ 343 m/s; Water ≈ 1500 m/s; Steel ≈ 5000 m/s.
Final AnswerAir, Water, Steel