Dive Into Success: Master the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Exam 2025 – Make Waves with Confidence!

Sound waves can indeed travel for great distances underwater, which is why the answer is true. When sound travels through water, it propagates more effectively than it does through air due to water's higher density. This allows sound waves to travel longer distances without losing their energy as quickly, making underwater communication and echolocation possible.

The unique properties of water enable sound waves to travel at speeds of approximately 1,500 meters per second, which is faster than in air. Additionally, sound waves can bend and refract in water, allowing them to reach faraway sources. This phenomenon is utilized by marine animals and is the reason why sonar technology is effective for locating objects or other vessels underwater.

The other choices do not accurately describe the behavior of sound in water. Sound does not only travel in shallow waters or during stormy conditions; its ability to travel long distances is consistent throughout various underwater environments, not limited by depth or weather conditions.