Which material will scatter sound less?

The material that will scatter sound less is clay. This is primarily due to its physical properties, including density and particle size. Clay consists of very fine particles that can arrange closely together, creating a dense medium. This density allows sound waves to travel through the material more effectively, reducing the scattering effect that typically occurs in coarser materials with larger particle sizes.

In contrast, materials like granite, pebbles, and sand generally have larger and more irregular particle sizes, leading to increased scattering of sound waves. Sound waves interact more with the surfaces and shapes of these coarser materials, which can disrupt their paths and causes them to scatter in multiple directions. This results in higher sound scattering, making clay a more effective choice for minimizing sound dispersion. The molecular structure and cohesive properties of clay also contribute to its ability to transmit sound more efficiently, further justifying its selection as a material that scatters sound less.