Vibrations

[bsvineeth2009]

Let us consider a particle in air.

When light falls on it in one direction , it oscillates perpendicular to the direction of the light wave since it is a transverse wave.

When sound passes through a particle through rarefractions and compressions, the particle oscillates in parallel to the direction of the sound wave since it is a longitudinal wave.

But if both these waves pass through the same particle in one direction at the same time , then the particle should vibrate parallely and also perpendicularly to the direction of the wave. But at a time the particle can move only in one way.

So if the vibration of the particle is neither perpendicular nor parallel in which direction will it oscillate?

And if the vibration is disturbed , then the passing of light or sound must be disturbed.

What is the correct reasoning for this?

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

Light isn't transmitted by the lateral vibration of particles in a medium. Light can travel through a vacuum where there are no particles to vibrate at all, unlike sound.

 

Light is usually described as traveling as photons. See here for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photon

[Klaynos]

When light is absorbed by particles it is not the whole particle that is oscillating but electrons in it.

[timetes]

What if static electricity was accidently passed thru or added to the wave would one feel that vibration...not the sound?

 

 

Let us consider a particle in air.

When light falls on it in one direction , it oscillates perpendicular to the direction of the light wave since it is a transverse wave.

When sound passes through a particle through rarefractions and compressions, the particle oscillates in parallel to the direction of the sound wave since it is a longitudinal wave.

But if both these waves pass through the same particle in one direction at the same time , then the particle should vibrate parallely and also perpendicularly to the direction of the wave. But at a time the particle can move only in one way.

So if the vibration of the particle is neither perpendicular nor parallel in which direction will it oscillate?

And if the vibration is disturbed , then the passing of light or sound must be disturbed.

What is the correct reasoning for this?

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what if a magnet force was added to this wave?