Sound travels ______ in media with low density.

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Sharpen your skills for the Davies Publishing SPI Test with targeted flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and clarifications. Prepare thoroughly for success!

Multiple Choice

Sound travels ______ in media with low density.

Explanation:
Sound speed depends on how easily a medium can be compressed relative to how much inertia its particles have. A handy way to think about it is v ≈ sqrt(K/ρ), where K is a measure of stiffness (how hard it is to compress) and ρ is density. If the density drops and the material’s stiffness doesn’t drop much, the ratio K/ρ increases, so the disturbance (the sound wave) propagates faster. That’s why, all else being equal, sound travels faster in media with lower density. The exact speed, of course, also depends on how compressible the medium truly is; if stiffness also drops a lot, the speed change could be different. So the best answer is that sound travels faster in low-density media.

Sound speed depends on how easily a medium can be compressed relative to how much inertia its particles have. A handy way to think about it is v ≈ sqrt(K/ρ), where K is a measure of stiffness (how hard it is to compress) and ρ is density. If the density drops and the material’s stiffness doesn’t drop much, the ratio K/ρ increases, so the disturbance (the sound wave) propagates faster. That’s why, all else being equal, sound travels faster in media with lower density. The exact speed, of course, also depends on how compressible the medium truly is; if stiffness also drops a lot, the speed change could be different. So the best answer is that sound travels faster in low-density media.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy