Question

The speed of sound in a vacuum is
A. 332m/s
B. 1675m/s
C. 0
D. 800m/s

Answer 1

Hint: Sound is not electromagnetic and its speed is then dependent on the nature of the medium it travels.

Complete step by step solution:
The sound wave is a type of longitudinal wave and we know the longitudinal wave requires a material medium to travel. When the longitudinal wave is produced the disturbances travel through the medium. As the medium is composed of many particles, these disturbances strike these and from one particle to another they move. So without the presence of these particles in the medium, it will be entirely impossible for the wave to travel. Since in a vacuum, there are no such particles present so it will be not possible for the sound wave to travel through the medium.

The speed of sound in a vacuum is zero meters per second, as sound cannot travel in a vacuum.

Thus, the correct answer is option C.

Additional information: The speed of sound is defined as the dynamic movement of sound waves. This depends on the characteristics of the medium through which the movement takes place. Speed of sound is used for defining the speed of sound waves in the medium in which we intended the sound wave to move. It is an important characteristic to define many properties.

Note: Sound is a wave, which means it spreads through the vibration of particles in a medium, such as water or air. Since a vacuum is a space, there is no medium for the sound to travel through.