Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]PhysicsSound Waves
The speed of sound in a medium is determined by
Options
- Athe inertia property but not the elastic property
- Bneither the elastic property nor the inertia property
- Cthe elastic property but not the inertia property
- Dboth the elastic property and the inertia property
Correct answer
D. both the elastic property and the inertia property
Step-by-step solution
The speed of sound in a medium is given by the formula v = E , where E is the modulus of elasticity of the medium and is its density. The modulus of elasticity E represents the elastic property of the medium, which determines how quickly the particles return to their original position after being displaced. The density represents the inertia property of the medium, which determines the resistance of the particles to acceleration. Therefore, the speed of sound in a medium depends on both its elastic property and its