Sound waves move in interesting ways depending on what they are going through, like air, water, or solid materials. Let’s break it down simply:

1. Speed of Sound:

   • Air: In air, sound travels at about 343 meters per second when it's warm. It moves slowly here because air is less packed, with more space between the tiny particles.
   • Water: In water, sound is much quicker—around 1482 meters per second. The particles are closer together, which helps sound waves carry energy faster.
   • Solids: Sound travels fastest in solids. For example, in steel, it can go up to about 5960 meters per second. The tightly packed particles pass on the vibrations very well. That’s why you can hear a train from far away!

2. Pitch and Intensity:

   • Pitch is how high or low a sound is. It depends on the speed of the sound waves. As sound moves through different materials, how we hear the pitch can change based on how quickly and closely packed the medium is.
   • Intensity means how strong the sound is. In solids, sound is usually stronger because it loses less energy as it travels. This makes noises feel more powerful.

3. Practical Observations:

   • Think about when you’re underwater. Voices sound different and more muffled. That’s because water is denser than air, which changes how we hear pitch and intensity.

So, the next time you hear something while swimming or standing by a train, remember the cool science behind how sound travels through different materials!