Light is significantly faster than sound. In a vacuum, such as outer space, light travels at a constant speed of approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (or about 186,282 miles per second), which is often rounded to 300,000 kilometers per second for simplicity. This speed is known as the speed of light and is denoted by the symbol 'c'.
On the other hand, sound travels through a medium, such as air, water, or solids, and its speed depends on the properties of the medium it is passing through. In air at room temperature, sound typically travels at a speed of around 343 meters per second (or about 1,125 feet per second). However, the speed of sound can vary depending on factors like temperature, humidity, and composition of the medium.
The fundamental reason why light and sound travel at different speeds is due to their nature as different types of waves. Light is an electromagnetic wave, while sound is a mechanical wave.
Electromagnetic waves, including light, consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that do not require a medium for propagation. This means that light can travel through a vacuum, like space, as well as through various media, such as air, water, or glass.
On the other hand, sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium to travel through. Sound is produced by the vibration or disturbance of particles in the medium, which then transmit the energy of the disturbance as a wave. For example, in the case of sound traveling through air, it relies on the air molecules colliding with each other to transfer the energy from the source of the sound to our ears.
The difference in their propagation mechanisms leads to the significant difference in their speeds. While light can travel at its constant speed through a vacuum, sound requires a physical medium and is thus subject to the properties and characteristics of that medium, such as its density and compressibility.
To summarize, light travels much faster than sound because light is an electromagnetic wave that can propagate through a vacuum, whereas sound is a mechanical wave that requires a medium for transmission.