Sound and light are both forms of energy that can propagate through a medium like air, but they do so through different mechanisms, resulting in different speeds of propagation.
Sound is a mechanical wave that requires a medium, such as air, to propagate. When a sound is produced, it creates a series of compressions and rarefactions in the medium. These compressions and rarefactions are regions of higher and lower pressure, respectively, that propagate through the air. The speed of sound in a particular medium depends on various factors, including the density, compressibility, and temperature of the medium. In general, sound travels at a relatively slower speed compared to light. In dry air at 20 degrees Celsius, the speed of sound is approximately 343 meters per second.
Light, on the other hand, is an electromagnetic wave and does not require a medium to propagate. It can travel through a vacuum, such as space, as well as through various media, including air. Light is made up of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that are self-sustaining and do not rely on a physical medium for transmission. The speed of light in a vacuum is a fundamental constant of nature and is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second. When light travels through a medium like air, its speed is slightly slower due to interactions between the light and the atoms or molecules of the medium. This interaction can result in absorption and re-emission processes that cause a delay in the overall propagation of light.
In summary, sound and light travel through the same medium, air, but have different speeds of propagation because they are different types of waves. Sound is a mechanical wave that requires a medium and propagates through compressions and rarefactions, while light is an electromagnetic wave that can propagate through a medium or vacuum and does not rely on mechanical interactions.