What is the order of the speed of sound in various materials from slowest to fastest?

In the context of sound transmission, the speed of sound varies significantly across different materials due to their physical properties, including density and elasticity. Typically, sound travels the slowest in gases, faster in liquids, and the fastest in solids.

Gases have the lowest density and are compressible, which allows sound waves to travel more slowly compared to other states of matter. In liquids, the molecules are more closely packed than in gases, allowing sound to travel faster than in gas but still slower than in solids. When we consider soft tissue, which is primarily made up of liquid and solid components, the speed of sound in soft tissue is generally faster than in gases and slower than in solids. Finally, solids possess the highest density and elasticity, enabling sound to travel at the highest speeds in these materials.

The correct order from slowest to fastest is, therefore, gases, liquids, soft tissue, and then solids, accurately represented by the answer provided.