Which of the following factors does NOT affect sound velocity in water?

Sound velocity in water is influenced primarily by several key physical properties, including depth, temperature, and salinity. Each of these factors plays a vital role in determining how sound travels through water.

Depth affects sound velocity because as you go deeper into the ocean, water pressure increases, which can increase sound speed. Generally, sound travels faster at greater depths due to this increase in pressure.

Temperature has a significant impact as well, as warmer water tends to facilitate faster sound propagation compared to colder water. This is due to the increased energy of water molecules in warmer temperatures enabling them to transmit sound waves more effectively.

Salinity also affects sound velocity; higher salinity increases sound speed. Saline water has different densities compared to fresh water, allowing sound waves to travel faster through it.

In contrast, color does not have any impact on sound velocity. It pertains more to the electromagnetic spectrum and how light interacts with water rather than the acoustic properties of water. Therefore, it is the factor that does not influence the speed of sound in a marine environment.