Why do seismic waves travel through higher density materials faster than lower density materials?

Seismic waves travel faster through higher density materials because these materials typically have stronger intermolecular bonds, which allow for quicker transmission of energy. In denser materials, the particles are more closely packed, facilitating efficient vibration transfer. Additionally, the stiffness of the material plays a crucial role; higher density often correlates with greater rigidity, which also contributes to faster wave propagation. Thus, the combination of density, stiffness, and particle interaction enhances the speed of seismic waves.