Question

The properties of the medium on which the speed of sound in it depends:
A. Elasticity
B. Density
C. Both A and B
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The speed of sounds depends on the elasticity and density of the medium. More elastic nature means higher the speed of sound, denser the medium signifies lower will be the speed of sound.

Complete step by step answer:
The speed of sound depends on the elasticity and inertial properties of the medium through which it is traveling. The greater the elasticity and lower the inertial properties, the faster sound travels in a medium. For static mediums only mass density of medium is taken into account.
Inertial properties are the characteristics of a material which restrict the body to change its state of motion. In other words, it is the property of a material which doesn't want the body to change its current state of motion. Mass and velocity are considered as inertial properties. For a medium, like air or water, we consider that the medium is still, so hypothetically the velocity of the medium will be zero. The mass density is the inertial property which plays a very vital role. For the sensitivity toward the sound (disturbance), greater the value of mass density of particles in a given volume of a medium, less responsive will be the particles in that medium. As a result, the slower will be the propagation of sound.
Mathematically:
$v=\sqrt{\dfrac{E}{I}}$
Where, $E$ = Elastic properties
                 $I$ = Inertia properties
Thus, we can conclude that the correct option which represents the property of the medium on which the speed of sound traveling through is dependent on is option C.

Additional information:
The speed of sound is dependent on the properties of medium such as elasticity, mass density, and velocity of medium. But this is only valid when the temperature at which the properties are considered is constant.
Sound is a longitudinal, mechanical wave which can travel in any medium (liquid, gas, and solid) but cannot travel through vacuum. That is the main reason that we don’t have sound in space.
Sound generally travels faster in solid than other mediums.

Note:
Sound waves are dependent on the surrounding through which they are propagating unlike electromagnetic lights. It is seen that the speed of sound in air is less than that of light. At sea level and normal atmospheric conditions the speed of sound is 344m/s.