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Question

Sound travels fastest in the medium

This question was previously asked in
RRB ALP 2018 CBT 2 Fitter Question Paper (21-Jan-2019) (Shift 3)
The correct answer is
Aluminum

Sound Speed in Different Mediums

The speed of sound varies depending on the properties of the medium it travels through, primarily its elasticity and density. Sound generally travels fastest in solids, followed by liquids, and then gases.

Analyzing the Options:

  • Gases: Hydrogen and Air are gases. Particles are far apart, leading to slower sound transmission.
  • Liquid: Sea water is a liquid. Particles are closer than in gases, allowing faster sound travel than in air.
  • Solid: Aluminum is a solid. Its particles are very close together and tightly bound, allowing vibrations (sound) to pass through very quickly.

Comparison of Speeds:

Approximate speeds of sound in these mediums are:

  • Air: \(\approx 343 \, \text{m/s}\)
  • Sea water: \(\approx 1522 \, \text{m/s}\)
  • Hydrogen: \(\approx 1284 \, \text{m/s}\)
  • Aluminum: \(\approx 6420 \, \text{m/s}\)

Comparing these values, sound travels significantly faster in Aluminum than in Hydrogen, Air, or Sea water.

Conclusion:

Based on the principle that sound travels fastest in solids due to their structure and elasticity, Aluminum is the medium where sound travels the fastest among the given options.

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Similar Questions

  1. An echo is heard after 0.6 s when a boy fires a cracker, 99 m away from a tall building then the speed of sound is

Important Questions from The Speed of Sound

  1. An object is 10.64 km below the sea level. A research team sends down a sonar signal to confirm this depth. After how long can it expect to get the echo? Take speed of sound in sea water = 1520 m/s.

  2. A boy stands 83 m in front of a high wall and then blows a whistle, calculate the time interval when he hears an echo. Speed of sound is 332 m/s.

  3. A man claps his hands in front of a wall and he hears an echo after 1.6s. He walks. 33m towards wall and hears the echo 1.4 s after clapping. Then velocity of sound in air is:

  4. For hearing a distinct sound, the time interval between the original sound and the reflected one must be atleast ______ seconds.

  5. Please select the correct option for the assertion-reason statement. 

    Assertion: The ceiling conference halls are made curved. 

    Reason: Curved ceilings help the sound to spread evenly in the hall.

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