All sound, regardless of its frequency, travels at which speed through any specific medium?

• A. Faster with higher frequency
• B. Slower with higher frequency
• C. It varies with distance
• D. Same speed

Answer: (D)

Sound speed in a given medium is determined by the medium’s stiffness and density, not by how high or low the frequency is. In a uniform, non-dispersive medium (like air under everyday conditions), the speed of sound stays roughly constant across the audible range. Higher frequency changes the wavelength (wavelength = speed divided by frequency) but not the speed itself. So all frequencies propagate at the same rate through that medium. Note that in dispersive media, speed can vary with frequency, but for common mediums this variation is negligible, making the same-speed behavior the norm.