Contradiction in research...

[hurleyan]

When I was taught about sound in 4th or 5th grade, I was taught that sound travels faster in solids than in liquids and gases since solids are more dense. When I was researching, I found that "the more dense the medium is, the slower the sound travels". How is this possible?

Thanks,
Anna Hurley

[deleted-71417]

Hi

The short answer is that the speed of sound depends on both the density and elasticity of the propagating medium.Here are some websites that discuss your question in more detail:
tp://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/HighS ... erials.htm

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/p ... y00999.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_sound

Best regards,

Barrett L Tomlinson