How does the medium affect sound transmission?

The correct answer highlights that the medium through which sound travels significantly influences both the speed and the transmission of sound waves. Sound is a mechanical wave that requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate. Different media have distinct properties, such as density and elasticity, which determine how quickly and effectively sound waves can travel.

For instance, sound travels faster in solids than in liquids and faster in liquids than in gases. This difference is primarily due to the arrangement of molecules in different states of matter; in solids, molecules are closely packed, allowing sound waves to be transmitted more efficiently. Additionally, the medium can affect how sound waves are transmitted, including factors such as absorption, reflection, and refraction. These can alter the amplitude and quality of the sound, but they fundamentally relate to how sound interacts with the characteristics of the medium.

Therefore, the medium's properties are crucial in defining not just the speed but also the transmission characteristics of sound, making this answer the most comprehensive in describing the relationship between the medium and sound propagation.