Although sound travels at approximately the same speed in both water and air, it can travel further underwater due to certain factors:
Density: Water is denser than air, which means it contains more particles per unit volume. When sound waves propagate through a medium, they interact with these particles, causing them to vibrate and transfer the sound energy. The higher density of water allows for more efficient transmission of sound energy compared to the lower density of air.
Elasticity: Water is more elastic than air, meaning it can easily deform and then return to its original state. This elasticity allows sound waves to propagate with less energy loss underwater compared to in the air. When sound waves encounter obstacles or travel long distances, they tend to lose energy due to interactions with the medium. With greater elasticity, water minimizes these energy losses, enabling sound to travel further.
Attenuation: While sound travels at the same speed in both water and air, it experiences less attenuation (weakening) underwater. Attenuation occurs due to the absorption and scattering of sound waves as they interact with particles in the medium. Water has different properties than air, which can result in less absorption and scattering of sound waves. Therefore, sound can propagate for greater distances underwater before it becomes too weak to detect.
It's important to note that although sound travels further in water, it does have its own limitations. The speed and distance sound can travel depend on various factors such as temperature, pressure, salinity, and the presence of other substances or marine life in the water.