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Grade 1210 grade science

The speed of a longitudinal wave is greater in denser or rarer medium?

Profile image of Somya
7 Years agoGrade 12
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1 Answer

Profile image of Arun
7 Years ago
Sound is a mechanical wave and travels by compression and rarefaction of the medium. Its velocity in an elastic medium is proportional to the square root of Tension in the medium. A higher density leads to more elasticity in the medium and hence the ease by which compression and rarefaction can take place. This way the velocity of sound increases by increase in density.
hence denser medium is correct answer.