How does sound travel differently in water than in air?

Sound travels faster in water due to its higher density compared to air. In general, sound waves propagate through a medium by causing molecules in that medium to vibrate. The denser the medium, the more closely packed the molecules are, which allows sound waves to transfer their energy and move more efficiently.

In water, the molecules are much closer together than in air, facilitating quicker transmission of sound waves. The compact arrangement of water molecules enables sound waves to travel faster, making the speed of sound in water approximately four times greater than in air. This principle can be observed when considering sound waves traveling through different states of matter; solids typically transmit sound even faster than liquids because they are even denser.

The other provided options inaccurately depict sound’s behavior in water. Sound does indeed travel in water; it's not true that it travels slower due to higher pressure or lower salinity in the context described.