Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

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

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