While sound moves at ~343 meters per second in air, it races at roughly 1,480 meters per second through seawater.
Sound travels as mechanical vibrations bumping from molecule to molecule. Because liquid water molecules sit packed tightly together, vibrations pass along over four times faster—helping whales communicate across ocean basins.
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Quick Guess: Why does sound travel so much faster underwater than through air?
Verified Answer: Water molecules are packed much closer together
Quiz Question: Why does sound travel so much faster underwater than through air?
Correct Answer: Water molecules are packed much closer together
Closely packed water molecules transfer mechanical vibrations far more rapidly.
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