Which mode of vibration travels the fastest through a medium?

Longitudinal waves travel fastest through a medium because they involve the movement of particles in the same direction as the wave propagation. In a longitudinal wave, particles are compressed and rarefied as the wave moves through the material, allowing it to transmit energy efficiently and quickly.

In general, the speed at which a wave travels is influenced by the properties of the medium, such as its density and elasticity. Longitudinal waves benefit from the fact that in many solids, molecules are closely packed and can efficiently transmit pressure changes. This means that the energy carried by a longitudinal wave can move swiftly through materials like metals and liquids.

In contrast, surface waves, shear waves, and transverse waves typically travel slower due to their different particle displacement patterns and the fact that they often cannot propagate through certain types of media (e.g., shear waves cannot travel through fluids). Thus, the unique characteristics of longitudinal waves make them the fastest option among the wave types listed.