Why does sound travel four times faster in water than it does in air?

 

Sound travels four times faster in water than in air because of the differences in their physical properties. Water is much denser than air, meaning the molecules in water are packed closer together. When sound waves travel, they move by vibrating molecules. In water, because the molecules are closer together, these vibrations can pass more quickly from one molecule to the next, speeding up the transmission of sound.

Additionally, water is more elastic than air. Elasticity refers to a material's ability to return to its original shape after being deformed. Water’s high elasticity allows it to efficiently transfer sound waves with less energy loss compared to air, further increasing the speed of sound.

In essence, the density and elasticity of water enable sound waves to travel more swiftly through it compared to the less dense and less elastic medium of air.