The velocity of a sound is largest in

Options

A. water
B. air
C. steel
D. vacuum

Answer

To determine in which medium the velocity of sound is largest, we can analyze the properties of sound propagation in different materials: air, water, steel, and vacuum.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Sound Propagation**:
- Sound travels through a medium by causing particles of that medium to vibrate. The speed of sound depends on how quickly these particles can transmit the vibrations to each other.

2. **Comparing Mediums**:
- **Vacuum**: Sound cannot travel in a vacuum because there are no particles to transmit the vibrations. Therefore, the speed of sound in a vacuum is zero.
- **Air**: In air, the particles are relatively far apart compared to solids and liquids, which means sound travels slower than in denser mediums.
- **Water**: Water is denser than air, and the particles are closer together than in air, allowing sound to travel faster than in air but slower than in solids.
- **Steel**: Steel is a solid and has particles that are very close together. This close proximity allows for more efficient transmission of sound waves, resulting in a higher speed of sound compared to both air and water.

3. **Conclusion**:
- Among the options provided, the velocity of sound is largest in steel due to the close arrangement of its particles, which facilitates faster transmission of sound vibrations.

### Final Answer:
The velocity of sound is largest in **steel**.

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