I’ve heard some explanations before which just sound intuitively wrong – mostly that “higher pressure = higher density = particles closer together = easier propagation of pressure wave”. I don’t like this firstly because water is only negligibly compressible and also because a higher density would surely lead to a lower speed of sound ceteris paribus?
Happy that speed of sound is a function of bulk modulus but can’t wrap my head around why the bulk modulus would be different at different pressures. Thanks for any help!
In: Physics
I think of it as water as ball bearings.
If a square frame is packed full of ball bearings (water) you push on the edge ball bearing and nearly immediately move the opposite edge’s (In many diections probably) ball bearings. No time is expended to move the other bearings.
Less packed, (air) you would need to traverse across empty space to move edges. That takes time to traverse that empty space.
I am explaining as only “I” imagine it. Not necessarily correct analogy. Quite possibly hyperbole!🤣🤣🤣
I AM NOT A PHYSICIST….🤷🏽🤷🏽
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