Through which one of the following mediums is the velocity of a sound wave the greatest?

A. Steel

B. Water

C. Air

D. Lead

Answer: C. Steel

Explanation: When a sound wave travels through a solid body consisting

of an elastic material, the velocity of the wave is relatively

high. For instance, the velocity of a sound wave traveling

through steel (which is almost perfectly elastic) is about

5,060 meters per second. On the other hand, the velocity

of a sound wave traveling through an inelastic solid is

relatively low. So, for example, the velocity of a sound wave

traveling through lead (which is inelastic) is approximately

1,402 meters per second.