What happens to sound as it passes from one medium to another?

When sound passes from one medium to another, it is influenced by the properties of the new medium, resulting in changes to both its speed and wavelength. The speed of sound varies in different materials; for instance, sound travels faster in water than in air due to water's higher density and elasticity. This change in speed due to the transition between media also alters the wavelength, as the two are directly related through the equation (v = f \lambda) (where (v) is the speed of sound, (f) is frequency, and (\lambda) is wavelength).

Although the frequency of sound remains constant when it transitions between media, the change in medium does not lead to an increase in frequency. Instead, any adjustments in sound characteristics can lead to variations in loudness, and complete absorption of sound is quite rare under typical conditions. Therefore, it's understood that while certain factors might change (like loudness or the direction of sound), the primary and definitive change lies in the speed and wavelength as sound traverses different mediums.