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:
X
Y
Z
Medium Speed Before (m/s)
972
1,483
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 gas, Y is the solid, and Z is the liquid.
B. X is the solid. Y is the liquid, and Z is the gas.
C. X is the liquid, Y is the gas, and Z is the solid
D. X is the gas, Y is the liquid, and Z is the solid.
Based on the given information, the student's observations show that the wave speed is fastest in Z (5,940 m/s), which is faster than the speed of sound through room temperature air. This indicates that Z is the solid.
Next, Y has a speed of 1,483 m/s, which is slower than Z but faster than the speed of sound through air. This suggests that Y is the liquid.
Finally, X has a speed of 972 m/s, which is the slowest among the three and is consistent with the speed of sound through air. Therefore, X is the gas.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
A. X is the gas, Y is the solid, and Z is the liquid.
this is not right
Apologies for the confusion. Let's reconsider the answer.
Given that the speed of sound through room temperature air is 343 m/s, we can compare the speeds recorded by the student:
- X has a speed of 972 m/s, which is faster than the speed of sound through air.
- Y has a speed of 1,483 m/s, which is also faster than the speed of sound through air.
- Z has a speed of 5,940 m/s, which is much faster than the speed of sound through air.
Therefore, based on the speeds recorded:
- X: 972 m/s is likely the speed of sound through a liquid.
- Y: 1,483 m/s is likely the speed of sound through a solid.
- Z: 5,940 m/s is likely the speed of sound through a gas.
Hence, the correct answer is:
C. X is the liquid, Y is the solid, and Z is the gas.