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Light is a series of particles that move in a tight wave, each particle generally following a straight line through air or a vacuum.

Sound emanates from the source as a circular larger-frequency wave that moves air in it's path (like the wave of a pebble dropped in water). Sound is affected by the air it moves through and the size of the wave is increased the further it travels (over time/distance the sound gets lower).

light is faster than sound becuase...

sound takes longer to reach it's detination.

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βˆ™ 15y ago
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βˆ™ 6mo ago

Sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium to travel through, such as air or water. This interaction with the medium causes the speed of sound waves to be slower than electromagnetic waves, which can travel through a vacuum at the speed of light. Additionally, the energy transfer mechanism in sound waves involves molecular interactions that are inherently slower compared to the fast oscillations of electromagnetic waves.

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βˆ™ 12y ago

You might as well ask "Why doesn't a child and a cheetah run at the same speed ?"

-- Sound is a mechanical vibration of a material medium, whose speed depends on the

physical characteristics of the medium.

-- Light is propagation of electric and magnetic fields, whose speed depends on the

electrical characteristics of the medium.

Why would you expect them to travel at the same speed ?

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βˆ™ 11y ago

Sound waves are not electromagnetic waves, they are vibrations of air particles thatpropagatethrough the air. Therefore, these waves can only travel as fast as the particles in the air around them allow them to. This is also why sound travels faster in a solid or liquid rather than in a gas as the particles are closer together in a solid, allowing the sound to travel much faster through it.Electromagnetic waves do not travel through this medium and travel at the speed of light (as thats what they are) when in avacuum or in air.

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βˆ™ 10y ago

-- Each has been independently measured, and the speed of light has been

found to be greater than the speed of sound.

-- When you see an event that produces a sound ... such as a hammer striking steel ...

you see the strike before you hear the clank , because the light from the hammer

reaches you before the sound does, on account of the higher speed of light.

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βˆ™ 14y ago

yes because light waves travel at the speed of 300,000 and sound waves travel 50,000 km per second

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βˆ™ 14y ago

Slower. Because nothing is faster than light.

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βˆ™ 10y ago

Yes

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Q: Why do sound waves travel slower than other electromagnetic waves?
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Is the speed of a sound wave slower than a electromagnetic wave?

Yes, the speed of sound waves is slower than the speed of electromagnetic waves. Sound waves travel through a medium, such as air or water, at a speed that depends on the properties of that medium. Electromagnetic waves, such as light, can travel through a vacuum at a speed of about 300,000 kilometers per second.


Which phenomenon do em waves exhibit that sound waves do not?

Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum, while sound waves require a medium (such as air, water, or solids) to propagate. Additionally, electromagnetic waves can travel at the speed of light, while sound waves travel at a much slower speed.


In what ways are sound waves and electromagnetic waves different?

Sound waves require a medium to travel through, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum. Sound waves are mechanical waves that require particles to propagate, while electromagnetic waves are made up of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. Sound waves are slower than electromagnetic waves and are typically used for communication over short distances, while electromagnetic waves can travel long distances at the speed of light.


How do you Compare and contrast light and sound energy?

Light energy consists of electromagnetic waves that travel at the speed of light, while sound energy consists of mechanical waves that travel at a much slower speed. Light energy does not require a medium to travel through, whereas sound energy does. Light energy can travel through a vacuum, whereas sound energy cannot.


Through which material does sound travel slowest?

sound will travel through air (gas), the slowest. Because the molecule sin the air are farther apart. Actually rubber it will travel through rubber the slowest. Air is second slowest then water and then granite was all I learned . Also Saltwater is faster then water becaus e there more salt so air goes through it faster.

Related questions

Is the speed of a sound wave slower than a electromagnetic wave?

Yes, the speed of sound waves is slower than the speed of electromagnetic waves. Sound waves travel through a medium, such as air or water, at a speed that depends on the properties of that medium. Electromagnetic waves, such as light, can travel through a vacuum at a speed of about 300,000 kilometers per second.


Which phenomenon do em waves exhibit that sound waves do not?

Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum, while sound waves require a medium (such as air, water, or solids) to propagate. Additionally, electromagnetic waves can travel at the speed of light, while sound waves travel at a much slower speed.


In what ways are sound waves and electromagnetic waves different?

Sound waves require a medium to travel through, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum. Sound waves are mechanical waves that require particles to propagate, while electromagnetic waves are made up of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. Sound waves are slower than electromagnetic waves and are typically used for communication over short distances, while electromagnetic waves can travel long distances at the speed of light.


Why is sound not part of the electromagnetic spectrum?

Sound is a mechanical wave that requires a medium, such as air or water, to propagate. Electromagnetic waves, on the other hand, do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum. This fundamental difference in how they travel means that sound is not considered part of the electromagnetic spectrum.


Sound is not part of the electromagnetic spectrum because?

it is a mechanical wave that requires a medium to travel through, like air, water, or solids. Electromagnetic waves, on the other hand, can travel through a vacuum, such as light traveling through space. This distinction is what separates sound from other forms of radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum.


Will sound travel faster or slower on moon than on earth?

Sound will travel slower on the moon than on Earth. This is because the moon's lack of atmosphere results in sound waves traveling at a slower pace due to the reduced medium through which they can propagate.


How do you Compare and contrast light and sound energy?

Light energy consists of electromagnetic waves that travel at the speed of light, while sound energy consists of mechanical waves that travel at a much slower speed. Light energy does not require a medium to travel through, whereas sound energy does. Light energy can travel through a vacuum, whereas sound energy cannot.


Through which material does sound travel slowest?

sound will travel through air (gas), the slowest. Because the molecule sin the air are farther apart. Actually rubber it will travel through rubber the slowest. Air is second slowest then water and then granite was all I learned . Also Saltwater is faster then water becaus e there more salt so air goes through it faster.


Why does sound travel slowest through gas than trough other forms of matter?

Sound travels slower through less dense matter because sound is the result of molecules hitting each other. When there are fewer molecules for the vibrating molecules to bump into, sound travels slower.


what vcan travel with or without a medium?

Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that can travel through a vacuum, or a space with no air, meaning it does not require a medium to travel through. Other forms of electromagnetic radiation, like radio waves, microwaves, and x-rays, can also travel through a vacuum. Sound, on the other hand, is a form of mechanical wave which requires a medium to travel. This medium can be a solid, liquid, or gas, and is the way sound travels from one place to another. For example, when someone speaks, the sound waves travel through the air and reach our ears. In summary, light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation can travel with or without a medium, while sound requires a medium to travel.


Is the speed of sound equal to an electromagnetic wave?

No, speed of sound in air is much slower than the speed of light in vacuum.


Electromagnetic radiation and sound waves travel at the same speed?

No, electromagnetic radiation (such as light) travels faster than sound waves. In a vacuum, light travels at a speed of approximately 186,282 miles per second, while the speed of sound waves is much slower, around 767 miles per hour in air.