AFOQT Practice Test

What happens to sound waves in denser mediums compared to less dense mediums?

1. They travel slower

2. They stop completely

3. They travel faster

4. They do not travel through liquids

The correct answer is: They travel faster

Sound waves generally travel faster in denser mediums compared to less dense mediums due to the increased molecular interaction and proximity in denser materials. In a denser medium, such as solids, particles are packed more closely together, allowing sound waves to be transmitted more efficiently as the energy of the sound wave is passed rapidly from one particle to another. For example, sound travels faster in steel than in air because steel is denser than air. In the case of liquids, sound also travels faster than it does in gases because liquids are denser than gases and provide a more efficient medium for sound wave propagation. Understanding this principle is crucial in fields such as acoustics and engineering, where the medium's density plays a significant role in sound transmission.