Sound

[00945584]

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why does sound travel slower through water?

 

[Vanguard23]

It doesn't.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Than what?

Generally:

Sound travels slower through water than it does through a solid

Sound travels faster through water than it does a gas.

Sound travels slower in water than it does through a less dense liquid like

Higher elasticity (or rigidity) means the sound wave will travel faster
Greater density means the sound wave will travel slower.

 

[Vanguard23]

Than what?

Generally:

Sound travels slower through water than it does through a solid

Sound travels faster through water than it does a gas.

Sound travels slower in water than it does through a less dense liquid like

Higher elasticity (or rigidity) means the sound wave will travel faster
Greater density means the sound wave will travel slower.

It's a ratio between elasticity and density. The density slows it down but at the same time the more elastic molecules more than compensate and allow for the wave to propogate faster.

 

[Bernoull]

It doesn't.

I'm loving this answer, it's true based strictly on the question.. all reasonable people know the comparison is to air, so it doesn't travel slower in water!!