Final answer:
The wall typically has the greatest influence on sound transmission in a reading room due to its larger surface area and the acoustics related to sound wavelength and door size.
Step-by-step explanation:
The surface in the reading room that has the greatest influence on sound transmission can vary depending on the specific characteristics of the surfaces, such as material and thickness, but generally, the wall is assumed to have the greatest influence. This is because according to the given information, sound waves bend into all parts of the room through the doorway, a wave effect, since their wavelength is similar to the size of the door. While windows and doors can also be significant in sound transmission, especially if they are not well sealed, walls generally have a larger surface area and therefore a larger impact on the acoustics of a room.
Furthermore, in regards to the density and interference patterns in a room, sound is typically louder in parts of the room where constructive interference occurs and softer in parts where destructive interference occurs.The surface in the reading room that has the greatest influence on sound transmission is the ceiling. Sound waves can bounce off the ceiling and be redirected into different areas of the room, affecting how sound travels and is perceived. This is because the ceiling is typically larger and more reflective than other surfaces in the room.