In which of the following media is the speed of sound the maximum?

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Glass

Stainless steel

Water

Oxygen

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2023

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The speed of sound is generally highest in solids, lower in liquids, and lowest in gases. Within solids, the speed of sound depends on the material’s density and elasticity (stiffness). Among the given options, Stainless steel is a solid with high density and stiffness, allowing sound waves to travel fastest through it compared to glass (another solid), water (liquid), and oxygen (gas).

The speed of sound is determined by the medium’s properties, specifically its bulk modulus (a measure of stiffness) and density. The formula for the speed of sound is approximately $v = \sqrt{B/\rho}$ for liquids and solids, where B is the bulk modulus and $\rho$ is the density. Solids generally have much higher bulk moduli than liquids and gases, leading to higher sound speeds, even though they might also have higher densities. Among solids, stiffer materials tend to have higher sound speeds.

Approximate speeds of sound at room temperature:
– Oxygen (Gas): ~316 m/s
– Water (Liquid): ~1480 m/s
– Glass (Solid): ~4500 – 6000 m/s (varies with type)
– Stainless Steel (Solid): ~5790 m/s (in bulk)
Comparing these values, stainless steel has the highest speed of sound among the given options.

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