Sound travels fastest through which of the following substances

Sound travels fastest through; option [A] Steel. The speed of sound in a material depends on its elasticity and density. Steel, being a dense and highly elastic solid, allows sound waves to propagate at speeds faster than in air, water, or vacuum. In steel, sound waves encounter less resistance and can travel efficiently through its solid structure, making it useful in applications where rapid transmission of sound is necessary, such as in buildings, bridges, and machinery.

In contrast, sound travels much slower in air, water, and vacuum due to differences in their molecular structures and densities. Air, for example, has low density and elasticity compared to solids like steel, resulting in a slower speed of sound propagation. Therefore, among the substances listed, steel is the material through which sound travels the fastest due to its favorable acoustic properties.