Question

Velocity of sound is maximum in.
A. Solids.
B. Liquids.
C. Gases.
D. Ionised gases.

Answer 1

Hint: The higher the density of the medium, the faster the propagation of sound. We know also that the speed of the sound depends on the density of the medium through which it travels. Density of solids is higher than that of liquids and gases.

Complete step by step answer:
Sound travels fastest in solids and slowest in air this is often because the particles in solids are closer together than the particles in liquids or gases, and therefore the particles in liquids are closer together than the particles in gases. When the particles are packed tightly during a space, they collide more frequently. This enables sound, which is just the combined collisions of particles, to travel fastest in solids. So, this process repeats and the sound travels fastest in solids, then water, and slowest in air.
So the correct option is A.

Note:
Factor affecting speed of sound:
Effect of pressure: pressure has no effect on the speed of the gas.
Effect of density: At constant temperature speed of sound is inversely proportional to the square root of density.
Effect of humidity: As we know speed of sound is inversely proportional to the square root of density. Therefore sound travels faster in moist air than dry air.
Effect of temperature: speed of sound is directly proportional to the square root of its absolute temperature.
Effect of frequency: the speed of sound is independent of frequency.
Effect of amplitude: the speed of sound is independent of the amplitude of the sound wave but if the amplitude is very large the compressions and rarefactions can cause large temperature variation which may affect the speed of sound.