How many times faster does sound travel in water compared to air?

Sound travels significantly faster in water than in air due to the differences in the medium's density and elasticity. In general, the speed of sound in air is approximately 343 meters per second, while in seawater, it can reach around 1,480 meters per second at typical conditions. This means that sound travels about 4.3 times faster in water compared to air, which can be rounded to four times when considering a simplified comparison.

The substantial difference in speed is primarily attributed to the physical properties of water. Water is denser than air and has a higher bulk modulus, meaning it can transmit pressure waves more effectively. This is crucial for underwater communication and navigation, making understanding this concept important for divers and dive masters.

Other options do not accurately reflect the comparative speeds; two or five times do not represent the typical speed differences well, while 20 times greatly overstates the difference. Recognizing that sound travels about four times faster in water is essential for practical underwater applications, such as knowing how quickly you can communicate or hear signals while diving.