36. Why does sound travel faster through steel than through air? A. Air is more compressible than steel. B. Steel is denser than air. C. Steel is always colder than air. D. Only light waves can travel through air.

. Air is more compressible than steel.<br /><br />Sound travels as a compression wave. A denser, less compressible medium transmits these vibrations more efficiently than a less dense, more compressible medium. Think of it like this: it's easier to send a ripple down a tight rope than a loose one. Steel, being much denser and less compressible than air, transmits sound waves much faster.<br />