Sound wave frequencies and electromagnetic wave frequencies are fundamentally different phenomena. While they both involve oscillations, their nature and properties differ significantly.
Sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium, such as air, water, or solids, to propagate. The oscillations in sound waves occur as compressions and rarefactions of the medium's particles. The frequency of a sound wave refers to the number of complete cycles of oscillation per unit of time and is typically measured in Hertz (Hz). Human hearing ranges from approximately 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
Electromagnetic waves, on the other hand, are transverse waves composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. They can propagate through a vacuum, such as outer space, as well as through various media. The frequency of an electromagnetic wave represents the number of oscillations of the electric and magnetic fields per unit of time and is also measured in Hertz. However, electromagnetic waves typically have much higher frequencies than sound waves. The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses a vast range of frequencies, from extremely low frequencies (ELF) and radio waves with frequencies in the kilohertz to megahertz range, to visible light with frequencies in the hundreds of terahertz range, and beyond to higher frequencies like X-rays and gamma rays.
While sound waves and electromagnetic waves both exhibit frequency, they operate in different domains and have different propagation mechanisms. Sound waves rely on the physical compression and rarefaction of a medium, while electromagnetic waves involve the interaction of electric and magnetic fields. Furthermore, sound waves are typically perceived by the human auditory system, while electromagnetic waves can be detected and interpreted by various devices and sensors, such as radios, cameras, and antennas.