In which one among the following mediums would the speed of sound be maximum?

The correct answer is  Sea water.

Key PointsSpeed of Sound in Different Mediums

• The speed of sound varies depending on the medium through which it travels. This is because the speed of sound is influenced by the medium's density and elasticity.
• Sea water has a higher density compared to distilled water, drinking water, and methanol.
• Due to the presence of salts and minerals in sea water, its density and elasticity are higher, allowing sound waves to travel faster.
• In distilled water, the absence of impurities results in lower density and elasticity compared to sea water.
• Drinking water contains some impurities but not as much as sea water, making it less dense and less elastic compared to sea water.
• Methanol, being an alcohol, has a significantly lower density and elasticity compared to water-based mediums, resulting in a slower speed of sound.

Additional Information

• The speed of sound in a medium is given by the formula: v = sqrt(B/ρ), where v is the speed of sound, B is the bulk modulus (a measure of the medium's elasticity), and ρ is the density of the medium.
• In general, sound travels faster in liquids and solids than in gases due to their higher density and elasticity.
• In the context of water, sea water has a typical speed of sound of about 1531 meters per second, while in distilled water, it is around 1498 meters per second.
• The presence of salts and minerals in sea water increases its density and bulk modulus, enhancing the speed of sound.
• Understanding the speed of sound in different mediums is crucial for applications such as underwater acoustics, sonar technology, and medical ultrasonography.