Correct Option
The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The speed of sound is a mechanical wave property determined by the characteristics of the medium through which it travels. The primary factors influencing this speed are the medium's elasticity and density, as well as physical conditions such as temperature.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The speed of sound is directly dependent on the temperature of the medium. As the temperature changes, the kinetic energy of the particles in the medium changes, affecting the rate of wave propagation.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The speed of sound decreases when moving from a solid to a gaseous state. Sound travels fastest in solids, slower in liquids, and slowest in gases. This is because solids possess higher elasticity (restoring force) relative to their density compared to liquids and gases.
- Statement 3 is Correct: In a given medium, increasing the temperature generally increases the speed of sound. For instance, in a gas, the speed of sound is directly proportional to the square root of the absolute temperature ($v \propto \sqrt{T}$). As temperature rises, molecular vibrations increase, facilitating faster transmission of the sound wave.
Key Takeaway: Sound requires a material medium for propagation. Its speed is highest in solids and lowest in gases. Furthermore, the speed of sound in a medium increases with an increase in temperature.