Sound travels faster in water than in air primarily due to the difference in the density and elasticity of the two mediums.
Density: Water is denser than air. The molecules in a denser medium are closely packed together, allowing sound waves to propagate more efficiently. When a sound wave travels through water, it encounters more particles per unit volume compared to air, leading to a faster propagation speed.
Elasticity: Water is more elastic than air. Elasticity refers to a material's ability to deform and then return to its original shape when a force is applied and released. The higher elasticity of water means that it can transmit sound waves more effectively. As the sound wave passes through water, the water molecules can quickly compress and expand, transmitting the energy of the wave at a faster rate compared to air, which has lower elasticity.
Overall, the combination of higher density and greater elasticity in water allows sound waves to travel faster through water than through air. The speed of sound in water is approximately 4.3 times faster than in air, with slight variations depending on temperature and salinity.