What is the speed of sound in water compared to air?

The speed of sound in water is indeed greater than in air and increases with temperature. This phenomenon occurs due to the different physical properties of water and air.

In general, sound travels faster in liquids than in gases because the molecules in liquids are more closely packed. In water, the density and elasticity allow sound waves to transmit more efficiently than they would in air. When the temperature of water increases, the kinetic energy of the molecules also increases, leading to a greater speed of sound. Temperature affects the density and viscosity of the water, allowing sound to travel faster through the medium.

This understanding is crucial for applications in fields such as underwater acoustics, sonar technology, and even marine biology, where communication among organisms can heavily depend on sound transmission in aquatic environments.