What is the speed of sound in steel?

The speed of sound in steel is approximately 5000 m/s. This value is significantly higher than the speed of sound in air and water, which is only around 330 m/s and about 1500 m/s, respectively. The reason sound travels faster in steel is due to the material's density and elasticity. Steel is a solid material with tightly packed atoms that can transfer vibrational energy more efficiently than gases or liquids. In solids, particles are in close contact, allowing the sound waves to propagate quickly through compressions and rarefactions.

When we look at the values provided, 1500 m/s reflects the speed of sound in water, while 330 m/s represents the speed in air. The choice of 6000 m/s is incorrect as it is generally too high for common materials known in physics; sound speeds in most solids, including steel, do not reach such high velocities. Thus, the correct answer highlights the unique properties of steel that enable sound to travel much faster compared to other states of matter.