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The Speed of Sound in Different Materials
Have you ever been underwater and heard a sound? A sound that is made underwater usually sounds different than when the same sound is made in air. One reason that the sounds are different is that sound waves travel with different speeds in different materials, such as water and air. The speed of sound waves also changes when they are traveling through the same material but at a different temperature. How does the speed of sound waves change when they travel in different materials? How does a change in temperature cause the speed of sound waves to change?

 

Make a Plan

  1. Read general information about changes in the speed of sound waves as they travel through different materials or temperatures.
  2. Research the speed of sound waves in different materials and in air and water at different temperatures.
  3. Check the data table to see what others have learned about how different materials and temperatures affect the speed of sound waves.

 

Follow Your Plan

  1. Show your teacher your plan and make any changes suggested by your teacher.
  2. Research information about the affect of different materials and temperatures on the speed of sound waves.
  3. Organize your information in the data table below.

 

Analyze Your Data

  1. Compare the speed of sound waves when they are traveling through different materials.
  2. Graph the data you collected on the speed of sound waves traveling in air at different temperatures.
  3. Graph the data you collected about the changes in sound wave speeds as they travel through different materials.

 

Conclude and Apply

  1. Infer how the state of matter through which a sound wave is traveling affects the wave’s speed.
  2. Infer how the temperature of the air through which a sound wave is traveling affects the wave’s speed.
  3. Infer how the temperature of the water through which a sound wave is traveling affects the wave’s speed.
  4. Infer whether the speed of sound in air or in water changes more if temperature
    is increased.

 

Share Your Data

Shared Student Data
Post your data in the data table. Compare your data to those collected by other students. Discuss any differences in your data.
Speed of Sound Data
Material
Temperature (°C)
Speed of Sound (m/s)
Material
Temperature (°C)
Speed of Sound (m/s)
Material
Temperature (°C)
Speed of Sound (m/s)
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