Adrogans Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 If I understand correctly, sound waves are a part of electromagnetic radiation, and all electromagnetic radiation goes at the same speed (speed of light), right? So then I was wondering: how is it that the speed of sound is slower than the speed of light? Is it because the sound waves oscillate more, and thus the "stream" of photons make less forward movement than the light waves, which oscillate less? This has been perplexing me for a while now, and any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny8522003 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 Sound waves are certainly NOT electromagnetic radiation, they are completely different from light. Sound travels through an object because something vibrates at one end and this vibration is carried via the particles in a solid/liquid/gas. Light however does not need something to travel through and is much faster. Sound does not propogate via photons. I suggest you do some Googling on sound waves. I found this sight that may explain things better, i hope you dont think im patronising: http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00554.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlbatrosKill Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 If I understand correctly' date=' sound waves are a part of electromagnetic radiation, and all electromagnetic radiation goes at the same speed (speed of light), right? So then I was wondering: how is it that the speed of sound is slower than the speed of light? Is it because the sound waves oscillate more, and thus the "stream" of photons make less forward movement than the light waves, which oscillate less? This has been perplexing me for a while now, and any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.[/quote'] Sound travels slower than light becuase sound isn't electromagnetic radiation. Sound is vibrations transmitted through an elastic solid or a liquid or gas, i have no idea how you even got the idea that sound was electromagnetic radiation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 I can understand the confusion. Sound waves must travel through a medium. Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacumn. the power lines (U.S.) operate at 60 Hz and are electromagnetic waves, however, it you attach a speaker to them, you can convert them to sound waves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecoli Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 the power lines (U.S.) operate at 60 Hz and are electromagnetic waves' date=' however, it you attach a speaker to them, you can convert them to sound waves.[/quote'] Because energy can change forms. You can convert electrical signal to physical vibrations that produce sound. The speed of sound varies depending on what medium its traveling through. Sound travels the fastest in solids > liquids > gases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrogans Posted October 30, 2005 Author Share Posted October 30, 2005 Alright, thanks everyone. I guess I mixed up sound waves and radio waves. So then, if I understand correctly, gamma waves and radio waves travel at the same speed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klaynos Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 Alright' date=' thanks everyone. I guess I mixed up sound waves and radio waves. So then, if I understand correctly, gamma waves and radio waves travel at the same speed?[/quote'] Yes they would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecoli Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 Yes they would. as would everything on the electromagnetic spectrum... as long as they were in the same medium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansont Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 as would everything on the electromagnetic spectrum... as long as they were in the same medium. Actually' date=' no. Due to dispersion, the index (and thus the speed) is wavelength-dependent in many media. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecoli Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 Actually, no. Due to dispersion[/url'], the index (and thus the speed) is wavelength-dependent in many media. I should have said, as long as they are traveling in a vacuum, my mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrogans Posted October 30, 2005 Author Share Posted October 30, 2005 Alright, cool. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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