What is the approximate speed of sound in seawater?

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Multiple Choice

What is the approximate speed of sound in seawater?

Explanation:
Sound travels through seawater at about 1500 meters per second. The speed comes from the balance between how tightly the water can be compressed (its bulk modulus) and how dense it is. In seawater, temperature, salinity, and depth all push the speed up or down a bit, but under typical ocean conditions these factors combine to place the value right around 1500 m/s. Temperature increases speed, salinity has a smaller but noticeable effect, and greater depth (higher pressure) also raises speed. Because of these typical conditions, 1500 meters per second is the closest practical approximation.

Sound travels through seawater at about 1500 meters per second. The speed comes from the balance between how tightly the water can be compressed (its bulk modulus) and how dense it is. In seawater, temperature, salinity, and depth all push the speed up or down a bit, but under typical ocean conditions these factors combine to place the value right around 1500 m/s. Temperature increases speed, salinity has a smaller but noticeable effect, and greater depth (higher pressure) also raises speed. Because of these typical conditions, 1500 meters per second is the closest practical approximation.

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