Yes, there is a fundamental limit on how fast a sound wave can propagate in a given medium. The speed of sound is determined by the properties of the medium through which the sound is traveling, such as air, water, or solids. The speed of sound varies depending on factors like temperature, pressure, and density of the medium.
In general, the speed of sound is faster in denser and stiffer materials and slower in less dense or more elastic materials. For example, in dry air at sea level and room temperature (approximately 20 °C or 68 °F), the speed of sound is about 343 meters per second (or 1,125 feet per second).
In specific media, such as water or steel, the speed of sound is faster than in air. For example, in water, sound travels at approximately 1,480 meters per second (or 4,850 feet per second), and in steel, it can be around 5,960 meters per second (or 19,550 feet per second).
Therefore, the maximum speed at which sound can propagate is determined by the properties of the medium. If an object were to move faster than the speed of sound in that particular medium, it would generate a shock wave or sonic boom, as mentioned in the previous response. This shock wave is created when the object outpaces the sound waves it generates, leading to a rapid compression of air molecules and the formation of a shock front.