Amongst following media, which is rarest for sound waves

Options

A. Vacuum
B. Air
C. Water
D. Steel

Answer

To determine which medium is the rarest for sound waves among the given options, we need to analyze the speed of sound in various media. The concept here is that the higher the speed of sound in a medium, the rarer that medium is considered to be.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Nature of Sound Waves**:
- Sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel. They cannot travel in a vacuum.

2. **Identify the Speed of Sound in Different Media**:
- The speed of sound varies in different media. Here are some approximate values:
- In air: 334 m/s
- In water: 1493 m/s
- In steel: 6000 m/s

3. **Compare the Speeds**:
- From the values provided:
- Speed in air: 334 m/s (slowest)
- Speed in water: 1493 m/s (faster than air)
- Speed in steel: 6000 m/s (fastest)

4. **Determine the Rarity of Each Medium**:
- According to the concept, the medium with the highest speed of sound is considered the rarest.
- Since steel has the highest speed of sound (6000 m/s), it is the rarest medium for sound waves.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, amongst the given options, steel is the rarest medium for sound waves.

### Final Answer:
Steel is the rarest medium for sound waves.

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