I was watching an XKCD “What-If” video recently and Randal off-handedly mentions the title fact as a given. Upon a further Google search I see explanations about why sound moves faster in liquids than gasses but nothing for my specific question. Is there an intuitive explanation for that fact or is it just one of those weird observable facts with no clear explanation

  • /home/pineapplelover@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    1·
    11 hours ago

    I think Randall mentioned this at one point but I never really understood it. Is it something like on a molecular level they’re still taking some time to push in to each other? It’s so damn trippy. At what point is my long pole going to have a delay when I push it? It sounds unreal

    • Rikudou_Sage@lemmings.world
      2·
      10 hours ago

      Basically, when you push something, you push molecules, those in turn push the other molecules etc., that’s what it is.

      The delay is there every time, it’s just usually really fast, the speed of sound in solid mediums is much bigger than the speed of sound in air.