Mechanical waves, such as sound waves, travel fastest in solids due to the close packing of particles and the strong intermolecular forces between them. In solids, particles are tightly packed together, which allows for quicker transmission of energy from one particle to the next. This close proximity and strong bonding result in faster wave propagation compared to liquids and gases.
In liquids, particles are less tightly packed than in solids, leading to slower wave speeds. Gases, having the least dense particle arrangement, exhibit the slowest wave speeds. The speed of mechanical waves in a medium is directly related to the medium’s density and elasticity. Solids, being more elastic and denser, facilitate faster wave travel.
For example, sound travels at approximately 343 meters per second in air (a gas), about 1,480 meters per second in water (a liquid), and around 5,960 meters per second in steel (a solid). This demonstrates how the medium’s properties significantly influence the speed of mechanical waves.