Table shows the speed of sound in a few media at atmospheric pressure.

Table: Speed of sound in different media at 15 °C

State	Substance/ Medium	Approximate Speed
Solid	Steel	5000 m s-1
Liquid	Water	1500 m s-1
Gas	Air	340 m s-1

Compare the speeds in different media by finding the ratio of:

(A) the speed of sound in water with respect to the speed in the air.

(B) the speed of sound in steel with respect to the speed in the water. [Pg. No. 197]

From the table:

Speed of sound in air = 340 ms⁻¹

Speed of sound in water = 1500 ms⁻¹

Speed of sound in steel = 5000 m s⁻¹

(A) Ratio of speed in water to speed in air,

$$\frac{1500}{340} = 4.41$$

So, the ratio is approximately 4.4 : 1.

This means sound travels about 4.4 times faster in water than in air.

(B) Ratio of speed in steel to speed in water

$$\frac{1500}{1500} = 3.33$$

So, the ratio is approximately 3.3 : 1.

This means sound travels about 3.3 times faster in steel than in water.