Does sound transfer momentum

Answer 1

Sound is the propagation of acoustic energy through a medium such as air or water. Although the energy propagates as waves, like light or other electromagnetic energy, acoustic energy is ''mechanical'' energy. Unlike light, where the waves can also be interpreted as particles, sound waves propagate through the oscillation of particles in a medium. The individual particles of air or water don't actually move very far, they just oscillate in place carrying the sound wave further to the next particles ahead. This is why sound doesn't propagate in a vaccuum but light does; sound requires a medium of particles to propagate the acoustic energy while light sort of propagates itself. Although the individual particles propagating the sound wave have mass and momentum while they're in motion, the wave itself has no momentum. So sound waves don't have a dual nature. However, you can transfer energy with sound--and do work--because the individual particles have energy and momentum as they oscillate. Air molecules inside your ear set into motion by the energy of an acoustic wave hit your eardrum and transfer their momentum to it which cause it to vibrate, which lets you hear the sound. Acoustic energy has even been used to levitate small objects against gravity--but you need a very loud sound to do that. You can find out more about this by searching the web for "acoustic levitation".

Answer 2

Yes, sound waves carry momentum through the transfer of energy. When sound waves interact with a surface or medium, they can exert a force that transfers momentum to that surface or medium, causing it to vibrate or move. This transfer of momentum is an important aspect of how sound is produced and detected.