Question

The velocity of sound is maximum in:
(A) Solids
(B) Liquids
(C) Gases
(D) Ionized Gases

Answer 1

Hint The velocity of sound will depend on the nature of the medium in which it travels. The velocity depends on the density of the medium through which the sound wave travels and it also depends on the elasticity of the traveling medium.

Complete Step by step solution
The speed of sound is accepted to have a value of $343m/s$ at room temperature and this value is measured in air medium. The velocity of the traveling wave will depend on the density of packing of the atoms in the medium. If the velocity of sound is recorded in all states of matter- solids, liquids, and gases, then we will find that the velocity of sound is the slowest in gas and the fastest in solids. If you think about it, the main factor or the general idea that distinguishes the three states of matter are the density of the three states. The density of the packing of atoms varies in all three. It can be noted that solids will be the most densely packed followed by liquids and gases. This influences the velocity of the traveling sound wave because it is easier for energy transfer to occur between atoms when they are close together. Sound waves are produced due to continuous compressions and rarefactions. So, as the density in solids is the highest compared to liquids, gases, and ionized gases as given in the question, the sound wave travels with the highest velocity in this medium.

Hence, we can conclude that option (A) is the correct option.

Note
Along with the dependence of the velocity of sound waves on the density of the medium, the elasticity of the medium, the velocity also depends on the temperature of the medium. The velocity of sound is directly proportional to the square root of the temperature.