Answer to Question #162265 in Optics for wilder

Question

List 5 differences between sound and light waves

Answer 1

1) Sound waves are mechanical waves while the light waves are the electromagnetic waves.

2) Sound waves are longitudinal waves while the light waves are transverse waves.

3) Sound waves can't travel in vacuum while light waves can travel in vacuum.

4) The speed of sound waves ($340\ m/s$ in air) is less than the speed of light waves ($3\cdot10^8\ m/s$).

5) The sound waves can't be polarized while the light waves can be polarized.