To best explain the speed of sound in different states of matter, let's analyze the given data and the properties of the materials:
1. Speed of Sound in Ice (Solid)
- Temperature: 0°C
- Speed of Sound: 3200 m/s
2. Speed of Sound in Water (Liquid)
- Temperature: 25°C
- Speed of Sound: 1500 m/s
3. Speed of Sound in Steam (Gas)
- Temperature: 100°C
- Speed of Sound: 346 m/s
### Explanation:
1. Sound travels fastest in ice:
- Reason: In solids, the molecules are packed closely together. This close packing allows the energy to transfer more efficiently through the medium. The strong intermolecular forces in ice facilitate the quick transfer of sound energy, resulting in a higher speed of sound.
2. Sound travels slowest in steam:
- Reason: In gases like steam, molecules are far apart compared to liquids and solids. This means there is a larger distance between the molecules for sound waves to travel through. Additionally, sound waves need to move around the widely spaced gas molecules, which slows down the transfer of sound energy, resulting in a slower speed of sound.
3. Temperature and pressure explanations:
- The speed of sound is not faster in ice due to temperature; it is faster because of the molecular structure and spacing. Higher temperature in itself does not imply higher speed of sound in different states.
- The explanation that sound travels slowest in steam due to high pressure is incorrect. It is the lower density and the larger distance between molecules in gases that cause the lower speed of sound in steam.
### Conclusion:
The correct explanation for the speed of sound in different states of matter given the temperature conditions is:
- Sound travels fastest in ice because energy is easier to transfer when the molecules are close together.
- Sound travels slowest in steam because the sound has to move around the gas molecules that are far apart.
This explanation relies on the properties of molecular spacing and the efficiency of energy transfer in different states of matter.
