Final answer:
Sound travels faster in liquids than in gases, and faster in solids than in liquids. The statement that sound travels faster in air than in water is false because denser mediums like water and solid materials suchs as iron allow sound waves to travel more efficiently.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that sound travels faster in air than in water is false. In reality, sound waves travel faster through liquids, like water, than through the air. This is because water is denser than air, causing sound waves to travel more efficiently. Moreover, sound travels fastest in solids due to their even higher density and the close proximity of particles that facilitates quicker transfer of sound energy.
Additionally, factors such as the rigidity of a medium also affect the speed of sound. For instance, iron has a greater rigidity as compared to air, which, along with its higher density, makes sound waves travel faster in it. Thus, it's not just about density; the ease with which particles in a medium can be compressed (compressibility) and the rigid structure of solids contribute to the speed of sound as well.