Final answer:
Wave speed generally increases with the depth of the water. Deeper water allows waves to flow more freely, thus increasing their speed, while shoaling occurs as waves approach the shore and slow down. Sound waves also travel faster in seawater than in fresh water at the same temperature and near the surface.
Step-by-step explanation:
As the depth of the water increases, the wave speed typically also increases. This is because deeper water allows the wave to flow more freely as it encounters less friction and obstruction compared to shallow water. However, other factors like the wavelength and energy of the wave can also influence wave speed. As waves reach shore, the depth decreases and the wave speed slows down, causing the waves to increase in height - a process known as shoaling.
When comparing sound waves in different mediums, the wave speed can also depend on the characteristics of the medium. For instance, the wave speed of a sound wave is generally faster in seawater compared to fresh water if both are at the same temperature and the sound wave moves near the surface, due to the higher density and salinity in seawater.