+209 votes
in Sound Waves by
edited by

Your answer

Your name to display (optional):
Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications.
+33 votes
by

The reason why light can travel in a vacuum while sound waves cannot is related to the nature of the medium through which they propagate.

Light consists of photons, which are particles that exhibit properties of both particles and waves. Light can travel through a vacuum because it does not require a medium to propagate. In other words, light can travel through empty space because it does not rely on the presence of particles or molecules to transfer energy. This is because electromagnetic waves, such as light, are self-propagating and can travel through the electromagnetic field present throughout the universe.

On the other hand, sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium, such as air, water, or a solid, to travel. Sound waves propagate through the interaction of particles in the medium. When a sound wave travels through a material, it causes the particles of that material to vibrate and transfer energy from one particle to the next. In a vacuum, where there is no medium, there are no particles for sound waves to interact with and transmit the vibrations. Therefore, sound waves cannot propagate in a vacuum.

In summary, light can travel through a vacuum because it is an electromagnetic wave that does not require a medium, while sound waves require a material medium to propagate and therefore cannot travel through a vacuum.

Welcome to Physicsgurus Q&A, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of the community.
...