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There are two main differences between sound waves and light waves. The first difference is invelocity. Sound waves travel through air at the speed of approximately 1,100 feet per second; light wavestravel through air and empty space at a speed of approximately 186,000 miles per second. The seconddifference is that sound is composed of longitudinal waves (alternate compressions and expansions ofmatter) and light is composed of transverse waves in an electromagnetic field.

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How do sound waves differ from water waves?

Sound waves are longitudinal waves that travel through a medium like air, while water waves are transverse waves that propagate on the surface of water bodies. Sound waves require a medium for propagation, whereas water waves do not. Additionally, sound waves transfer energy by causing particles in the medium to vibrate, while water waves involve the periodic movement of water molecules.


How do sound and light waves differ in terms of their propagation through different mediums?

Sound waves require a medium, such as air or water, to travel through, while light waves can travel through a vacuum. Sound waves travel slower than light waves and can be absorbed or reflected by different materials, while light waves can pass through most materials without being absorbed.


How do the properties of light waves and sound waves differ in terms of their propagation through different mediums?

Light waves can travel through a vacuum, such as outer space, while sound waves require a medium, like air or water, to propagate. Light waves travel much faster than sound waves, with a speed of about 186,282 miles per second in a vacuum, compared to the speed of sound waves, which is about 767 miles per hour in air. Additionally, light waves can be reflected, refracted, and diffracted, while sound waves can only be reflected and refracted.


How are sound waves and light waves related?

Sound waves and light waves are both types of wave phenomena characterized by their frequency and amplitude, but they differ in their propagation medium and properties. Sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium (such as air, water, or solids) to travel, while light waves are electromagnetic waves that can travel through a vacuum. Both types of waves exhibit wave-particle duality, allowing them to behave as both waves and particles.


How sound waves differ from light waves?

Sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium (such as air, water, or solids) to travel, while light waves are electromagnetic waves that can travel through a vacuum. Sound waves propagate through compression and rarefaction of the medium particles, while light waves oscillate through electric and magnetic fields. Additionally, sound waves travel at a much slower speed (around 343 m/s in air) compared to light waves (299,792,458 m/s in a vacuum).

Related Questions

How are light and sound alike and differ?

they both have waves


Light waves differ fundamentally from either water waves or sound waves because?

light waves do not require a medium to travel through, unlike water and sound waves which both need a medium (water and air, respectively). Light waves are electromagnetic in nature and can travel through a vacuum. They have different wave properties such as wavelength, frequency, and speed compared to water and sound waves.


How do sound waves differ from water waves?

Sound waves are longitudinal waves that travel through a medium like air, while water waves are transverse waves that propagate on the surface of water bodies. Sound waves require a medium for propagation, whereas water waves do not. Additionally, sound waves transfer energy by causing particles in the medium to vibrate, while water waves involve the periodic movement of water molecules.


How do sound and light waves differ in terms of their propagation through different mediums?

Sound waves require a medium, such as air or water, to travel through, while light waves can travel through a vacuum. Sound waves travel slower than light waves and can be absorbed or reflected by different materials, while light waves can pass through most materials without being absorbed.


What are 3 catigories of waves?

water waves, light waves, and sound waves


How do the properties of light waves and sound waves differ in terms of their propagation through different mediums?

Light waves can travel through a vacuum, such as outer space, while sound waves require a medium, like air or water, to propagate. Light waves travel much faster than sound waves, with a speed of about 186,282 miles per second in a vacuum, compared to the speed of sound waves, which is about 767 miles per hour in air. Additionally, light waves can be reflected, refracted, and diffracted, while sound waves can only be reflected and refracted.


What travels in waves?

Mechanical waves such as sound and water waves.Electromagnetic waves, such as light, radio, microwaves, x-rays.


How are sound waves and light waves related?

Sound waves and light waves are both types of wave phenomena characterized by their frequency and amplitude, but they differ in their propagation medium and properties. Sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium (such as air, water, or solids) to travel, while light waves are electromagnetic waves that can travel through a vacuum. Both types of waves exhibit wave-particle duality, allowing them to behave as both waves and particles.


How sound waves differ from light waves?

Sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium (such as air, water, or solids) to travel, while light waves are electromagnetic waves that can travel through a vacuum. Sound waves propagate through compression and rarefaction of the medium particles, while light waves oscillate through electric and magnetic fields. Additionally, sound waves travel at a much slower speed (around 343 m/s in air) compared to light waves (299,792,458 m/s in a vacuum).


What are the differences of sound and water waves in terms of source?

Sound and water waves differ in one main way in terms of source, although they are very alike. Sound waves are generated by a verifiable sound source, such as vibration.


How are electromagnetic or light waves different from water and sound waves?

Electromagnetic or light waves are transverse waves that do not require a medium (such as air or water) to propagate, whereas water and sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium for propagation. Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum, whereas water and sound waves cannot. Additionally, electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light, while the speed of water and sound waves depends on the medium through which they are traveling.


What type of waves of the ocean?

For example, water waves, sound, light.