Why does sound travel faster in water?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Water molecules are closer together
Water molecules are closer together ✓ — Correct! Sound travels by molecules bumping into each other. Water molecules are much closer together than air molecules - water is about 800 times denser. When molecules are closer, they transfer vibrations faster. Sound travels at 343 m/s in air but 1,480 m/s in water - over 4 times faster!
Water amplifies sound waves — Wrong. Water doesn't amplify sound waves. Sound travels faster in water because molecules are closer together, allowing vibrations to transfer more quickly from one molecule to the next.
Pressure pushes sound faster — Wrong. While pressure exists in water, that's not why sound travels faster. The key is molecular spacing - water molecules are closer together than air molecules, allowing faster vibration transfer.