Final answer:
Sound travels faster on a beach in Hawaii than at a ski resort because higher temperatures and air pressure at sea level increase the speed of sound transmission when compared to the cooler, low-pressure conditions found at higher altitudes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speed at which sound waves travel is determined by the medium through which they move. Sound travels faster in solids than in liquids, and faster in liquids than in gases. This is due to the fact that particles in a solid are much closer together, allowing for more efficient transmission of sound. Moreover, sound waves are pressure waves and are affected by the pressure of the medium.
For example, sound travels faster at sea level where the air pressure is higher. Lastly, temperature impacts the speed of sound; higher temperature means particles move faster, leading to quicker sound transmission.
Therefore, sound travels faster on a beach in Hawaii likely due to the warmer temperatures, which increase the energy of air particles, and higher air pressure at sea level, compared to the likely cooler and low-pressure conditions at a ski resort in the mountains.