\begin{tabular}{|l}\hline Faster or slower wave speed? \\ A. The medium gets colder. \\ B. The amplitude gets bigger. \\ C. A slinky gets looser. \\ D. The medium turns from solid to liquid. \\ E. The wavelength gets shorter. \\ Wave 1: \( \mathrm{f}=25 \mathrm{~Hz} \); Wave \( 2: \mathrm{f}=40 \mathrm{~Hz} \). Which one will be faster \\ in water? \end{tabular}

When discussing wave speed, it's important to note that the speed of a wave is influenced by the properties of the medium through which it travels. In general, as the medium turns from solid to liquid (option D), wave speed decreases because liquids are less dense and more compressible than solids, thus impeding wave propagation. Meanwhile, temperature affects wave speed in liquids, with colder mediums typically resulting in slower wave speeds as the molecules move less vigorously. For your question about wave speed in water, remember that frequency doesn't change the speed of a wave in a given medium but rather determines wavelength. In water, the speed of sound (and therefore wave speed) is largely constant regardless of frequency. Thus, waves travel at the same speed in water irrespective of their frequency of 25 Hz or 40 Hz. However, higher frequency waves can have shorter wavelengths, but speed remains constant.