What physical property is crucial when determining the speed of sound through a medium?

The speed of sound in a medium is influenced by multiple physical properties, making the selection of all contributing factors the correct choice. The primary determinants of sound velocity are elasticity, density, and temperature.

Elasticity refers to the ability of the medium to return to its original shape after deformation. The greater the elasticity of the medium, the faster sound can travel through it because a more elastic medium can transmit vibrations more effectively.

Density is also significant; it describes how much mass is contained in a given volume. Generally, in a medium with lower density, sound travels more quickly because there is less mass to move. However, very dense materials can transmit sound well if they are also elastic.

Temperature affects the speed of sound primarily in gases. As temperature increases, it results in increased sonic speed due to the greater energy and more vigorous molecular activity, which facilitates faster transmission of sound waves.

Therefore, because all of these physical properties—temperature, density, and elasticity—play essential roles in determining the speed of sound through a medium, acknowledging the collective impact of all three is critical for a complete understanding of sound propagation.