Sound travels faster in denser mediums because the density of a medium affects the speed at which sound waves can propagate. The speed of sound in a medium depends on the elasticity and inertia of the particles that make up the medium.
In denser mediums, the particles are closer together and have more interactions with each other. This higher density means that the particles are more tightly packed, and when a disturbance (such as a sound wave) is introduced, it can quickly transmit from one particle to another due to the strong intermolecular forces.
Additionally, denser mediums generally have higher elastic properties, meaning that they can more effectively transmit and propagate the mechanical vibrations associated with sound waves. The particles in a denser medium can quickly transfer the energy of the sound wave to neighboring particles, leading to faster sound propagation.
For example, sound travels faster in solids compared to liquids, and faster in liquids compared to gases because solids have the highest density, followed by liquids, and then gases. The particles in a solid are tightly packed, facilitating fast transmission of sound waves. In contrast, the particles in a gas are more spread out, resulting in slower sound propagation.
In summary, the denser the medium, the closer the particles are to each other, leading to stronger intermolecular forces and more effective transmission of sound energy. As a result, sound waves can travel faster in denser mediums.