The speed of longitudinal waves

A longitudinal wave propagates by alternately compressing and rarefying the medium as its particles oscillate back and forth along the direction of travel; this compression/rarefaction cycle advances through the medium because the medium possesses elastic (volume-restoring) properties. Because solids resist compression far more strongly (much larger elastic modulus) than liquids, which in turn resist it more strongly than gases, sound -- a longitudinal wave -- travels FASTEST through solids, at an intermediate speed through liquids, and SLOWEST through gases; the reference table below records measured values across all three categories, from a low of 54 m/s in soft vulcanised rubbe …