Final answer:
The speed of sound is fastest in steel, followed by water, then 50°C air, and slowest in 25°C air due to the influence of medium density and temperature on sound propagation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To predict the ranking for the speed of sound in steel, 25°C air, 50°C air, and water, we must consider that the speed of sound depends on the type of medium through which it travels, being influenced by the medium's density and temperature. Sound travels faster in solids than in liquids, and faster in liquids than in gases because particles in a denser medium are closer together, facilitating the transmission of sound. Therefore, we would expect the speed of sound to be fastest in steel, then in water, followed by 50°C air, and finally, the slowest in 25°C air, assuming all other conditions to be the same. This is supported by the kinetic theory of matter which explains that higher temperatures lead to greater particle velocity, thus slightly increasing the speed of sound in gases. From this, we can use the kinetic theory to defend the following ranking: 1) Steel, 2) Water, 3) 50°C Air, 4) 25°C Air.