When considering what happens when a sound wave travels from one medium to another, it is essential to compare the speeds of sound in the respective media.
Looking at the table, we have the following data points:
- Speed of sound in copper: 5,010 m/s
- Speed of sound in aluminum: 6,420 m/s
To determine the behavior of the sound wave when it moves from copper to aluminum, we need to compare the speeds of sound in these two materials.
1. Determine the speed of sound in each material:
- Copper: 5,010 m/s
- Aluminum: 6,420 m/s
2. Compare the speeds:
- Speed of sound in copper (5,010 m/s) < Speed of sound in aluminum (6,420 m/s)
Since the speed of sound in aluminum is greater than the speed of sound in copper, the sound wave will speed up as it transitions from traveling in copper to traveling in aluminum.
To conclude, when a sound wave travels from copper into aluminum, the wave will speed up. Therefore, the correct answer is:
A. The wave will speed up.
