A student performs an experiment where he sends sound waves from the air through a solid, a liquid, and a gas. He records the speed of the wave traveling through each medium but forgets to label each medium. The table shows his observations.
Medium Speed Before (m/s)
X 972
Y 1,483
Z 5,940
The student knows that sound travels through room temperature air at 343 m/s. Based on the student's results, which medium is the solid, the liquid, and the gas?
a
X is the solid, Y is the liquid, and Z is the gas.
b
X is the gas, Y is the solid, and Z is the liquid.
c
X is the gas, Y is the liquid, and Z is the solid.
d
X is the liquid, Y is the gas, and Z is the solid.
C. X is the gas, Y is the liquid, and Z is the solid.
To determine which medium is the solid, the liquid, and the gas based on the student's results, we need to compare the speeds of the waves recorded with the known speed of sound in air (343 m/s).
We can see that the speed recorded for medium X (972 m/s) is close to the speed of sound in air, so we can conclude that medium X is the gas.
Next, the speed recorded for medium Y (1,483 m/s) is greater than the speed of sound in air, so we can conclude that medium Y is the solid.
Finally, the speed recorded for medium Z (5,940 m/s) is significantly greater than the speed of sound in air, so we can conclude that medium Z is the liquid.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
c) X is the gas, Y is the solid, and Z is the liquid.
To determine which medium is the solid, the liquid, and the gas, we need to compare the speed of sound in each medium with the known speed of sound in air.
At room temperature, the speed of sound in air is approximately 343 m/s.
Comparing the given speeds in the table, we can see that:
X (972 m/s) < Speed of sound in air (343 m/s)
Y (1483 m/s) > Speed of sound in air (343 m/s)
Z (5940 m/s) > Speed of sound in air (343 m/s)
Based on these comparisons, we can conclude that:
X must be the gas, as its speed is lower than the speed of sound in air.
Y must be the solid, as its speed is higher than the speed of sound in air.
Z must be the liquid, as its speed is higher than the speed of sound in air.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
c) X is the gas, Y is the liquid, and Z is the solid.