Which of the following would be most likely to transmit sound with the highest speed?
A. An iron rail
B. Wooden steps
C. Water in a swimming pool
D. A teacher talking in a classroom
To determine which of the options would most likely transmit sound with the highest speed, we need to understand the properties of sound transmission in different mediums.
Sound travels in the form of waves, and the speed of sound depends on the density and elasticity of the medium it passes through. In general, sound travels fastest through solids, slower through liquids, and slowest through gases.
Let's analyze each option:
A. An iron rail:
Iron is a solid material that has high density and elasticity. Sound waves can easily propagate through iron, making it an excellent conductor of sound. Therefore, option A is likely to transmit sound with high speed.
B. Wooden steps:
Wood is also a solid material, but compared to iron, it is less dense and less elastic. Consequently, sound waves would travel slower through wooden steps compared to an iron rail. Therefore, option B would not transmit sound as quickly as option A.
C. Water in a swimming pool:
Water is a liquid, and sound waves generally travel slower through liquids compared to solids. The density and elasticity of water are relatively lower than those of solids like iron or wood. Therefore, option C would transmit sound at a slower speed compared to options A or B.
D. A teacher talking in a classroom:
Air is a gas, and sound waves travel much slower through gases compared to solids or liquids. While option D involves a teacher talking, the sound waves produced will be transmitted through the air in the classroom. Since gases have lower density and elasticity, the speed of sound will be lower compared to options A, B, or C.
In conclusion, option A (an iron rail) would be most likely to transmit sound with the highest speed among the given options.