Question

Why is it that a bell in a sealed bell jar:

(a) can be heard when the jar is full of air?
A. Sound travels faster in a vacuum.
B. The bell vibrates more in a vacuum.
C. Sound waves cannot travel in a vacuum.
D. Air enhances the transmission of sound waves.

Answer 1

The correct answer is D. Air enhances the transmission of sound waves.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is D. Air enhances the transmission of sound waves.

Sound waves require a medium to travel, and air is a good medium for sound to pass through. When the bell inside the sealed bell jar vibrates, it creates compressions and rarefactions in the air particles, which then propagate as sound waves. These sound waves can travel from the bell to our ears because air enhances the transmission of sound waves.

Although sound waves can also travel through solids and liquids, their speeds differ depending on the medium. Sound waves travel faster in solids compared to liquids, and faster in liquids compared to gases because of differences in density and particle arrangement.