Lesson 3 of 7

The speed of sound

Goal: Compare the speed of sound in different materials.

Puzzles for this lesson

Sound needs particles to carry it. It travels through solids, liquids and gases, but not through a vacuum.

Sound is usually fastest in solids. Their particles are closest together, so each one passes the vibration on quickly.
Typical speeds: about 330 m/s in air, 1500 m/s in water and 5000 m/s in steel.
Light is about a million times faster than sound. That is why you see the lightning before you hear the thunder.

Your turn

This lesson’s activity starts here in a moment.

I can explain why sound cannot cross a vacuum.I can put a solid, a liquid and a gas in order of speed.

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Vibration A back and forth movement that repeats

Vacuum A space with no particles in it

For teachers: AQA 3.4.1 · Pearson Edexcel 36.3 · Cambridge 7Ps.01