What best explains the speed of sound in different states of matter? Sound travels fastest in ice because energy is easier to transfer when the molecules are close together. Sound travels slowest in steam because the sound has to move around the gas molecules that are far apart. Sound travels fastest in ice because the temperature of solids is always greater, so the heat transfers the sound energy. Sound travels slowest in steam because the pressure is so great the sound cannot travel though the steam particles.

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Joanna Lara

Physics

6 November, 00:25

What best explains the speed of sound in different states of matter? Sound travels fastest in ice because energy is easier to transfer when the molecules are close together. Sound travels slowest in steam because the sound has to move around the gas molecules that are far apart. Sound travels fastest in ice because the temperature of solids is always greater, so the heat transfers the sound energy. Sound travels slowest in steam because the pressure is so great the sound cannot travel though the steam particles.

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Patches · Answer 1

The speed of sound depends on any form of matter or medium in which sound travels through it and depends on the amount of molecular collisions. Sound travels slowest in gas in the form of steam because the sound has to move around the gas molecules that are far apart making it harder for the energy of vibrations hit the particles and make sound.

Moreover, sound travelling through solids like ice is much faster because the particles are closer together so the sound waves do not have to travel that far making the number of collisions greater and sound spread more easily.