How do sound waves behave in a medium with varying density?

Sound waves behave in a medium with varying density by refracting and changing speed. When sound travels through different densities, it encounters variations in the medium's properties, which can affect both the velocity and direction of the sound waves.

As sound moves from one medium to another with differing density, such as from air to water, the change in density will cause the sound waves to bend at the interface between the two media due to refraction. This bending occurs because sound waves travel at different speeds in different media; a denser medium typically slows down the sound wave compared to a less dense one. The interaction of sound waves with the medium's density leads to variations in speed and direction, which is essential in understanding acoustic propagation in various environments.

This phenomenon is crucial in fields like underwater acoustics and sonar technology, where sound wave behavior in varying water densities can significantly affect the performance and accuracy of acoustic measurements and communications.