Final answer:
Sound transmits through different mediums as longitudinal waves in fluids like air and water, and as both longitudinal and transverse waves in solids. The speed of sound is faster in denser mediums, with solids allowing the quickest transmission due to closely packed particles. In contrast, light waves can travel through a vacuum, unlike sound.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparison of Sound Transmission in Different Mediums
To compare and contrast the kinds of matter that transmitted sound in the two systems, it's important to understand how sound waves travel through different mediums. Sound waves in air and water are longitudinal waves, where the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave propagation. This is due to the periodic variations in pressure transmitted through fluids, which lack appreciable shear strength. In contrast, sound in solids can be both longitudinal and transverse waves; transverse waves involve particle vibrations perpendicular to the direction of wave travel, which can occur due to solids' ability to support shear stress.
Furthermore, the speed of sound depends on the medium it travels through, moving faster through mediums that have greater density. Sound travels fastest through solids, followed by liquids, and slowest through gases. This increased speed is attributed to the closer proximity of particles in denser materials, allowing for quicker transmission of the vibrations that constitute sound.
Remember, sound waves cannot travel through a vacuum because there are no particles to transmit the vibrations. This concept is often contrasted with light, which can travel through a vacuum as it consists of electromagnetic waves that do not require a medium.