Which material would sound travel fastest through?

Sound travels fastest through steel due to its dense molecular structure and elastic properties. In solids, sound waves can propagate more effectively because the particles are closely packed together, allowing them to transmit sound vibrations rapidly. Steel, being a metal, has a high density and elasticity, meaning that the speed of sound is considerably greater in it compared to other substances.

In contrast, sound travels slower in air, where the molecules are far apart and less able to transfer the energy of sound. Water allows sound to travel faster than air but is still slower than in steel. Wood, while also a solid, does not have the same level of density or elasticity as steel, making it less efficient for sound transmission in comparison. Thus, the properties of steel contribute to its capability for sound to travel the fastest through it.