Sound travels through solids, liquids and gases, but not space

Question 1

You see lightning, then hear thunder a few seconds later. Why the delay?

• A. Sound travels faster than light.
• B. Thunder happens later.
• C. Light travels much faster than sound.
• D. Your ears are slower than your eyes.

Question 2

True or false? Sound travels faster through steel than through air.

• A. True
• B. False

Question 3

Can sound travel through this: water?

• A. sound can travel through it
• B. sound cannot travel through it

Question 4

Astronauts on a spacewalk talk to each other by radio, not by shouting. Why?

• A. Shouting uses too much oxygen.
• B. Sound cannot travel through the vacuum of space.
• C. Their helmets are soundproof only.
• D. Space is too noisy.

Question 5

True or false? Sound travels through empty space.

• A. True
• B. False

Question 6

Can sound travel through this: the empty space between planets?

• A. sound can travel through it
• B. sound cannot travel through it

Question 7

Put your ear on a table while a friend taps the far end gently. Why do you hear it clearly?

• A. Sound travels well through solids.
• B. Tables make sounds louder by magic.
• C. Sound cannot travel through air.
• D. Your ear makes the sound.

Question 8

True or false? Sound can travel through water.

• A. True
• B. False

Question 9

Can sound travel through this: the empty space between planets?

• A. sound can travel through it
• B. sound cannot travel through it

Question 10

Put your ear on a table while a friend taps the far end gently. Why do you hear it clearly?

• A. Tables make sounds louder by magic.
• B. Sound travels well through solids.
• C. Your ear makes the sound.
• D. Sound cannot travel through air.

Question 11

True or false? Sound travels through empty space.

• A. True
• B. False

Question 12

Can sound travel through this: a steel railway track?

• A. sound can travel through it
• B. sound cannot travel through it

Question 13

Why are recording studios lined with soft foam?

• A. Foam conducts electricity.
• B. To keep the room warm.
• C. Foam makes sound louder.
• D. Soft materials absorb sound and reduce echoes.

Question 14

True or false? Sounds get fainter as they travel further from the source.

• A. True
• B. False

Question 15

Can sound travel through this: a vacuum in a sealed jar with all the air pumped out?

• A. sound can travel through it
• B. sound cannot travel through it

Question 16

You see lightning, then hear thunder a few seconds later. Why the delay?

• A. Sound travels faster than light.
• B. Light travels much faster than sound.
• C. Your ears are slower than your eyes.
• D. Thunder happens later.