2006-12-28 20:10:54 · 7 answers · asked by li mei 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Does it related to wavelength of sound n light? Wavelength of sound is greater than light, so can get well-refracted thru door gap but not for light, right?
2006-12-28 22:02:09 · update #1
It is due to a process called "DIFFRACTION"
Diffraction is the phenomenon of bending or rays around an obstacle, whose dimensions are close to that of the wavelength of the rays.
That is, a ray gets diffracted (or bends) around an object if its wavelength is close to the dimensions or size of the object.
u r right.. it depends on the wavelength..
In the case of light, its wavelength is so small that it can't bend around the door, whose dimensions are much larger.
But, sound has a very large wavelength which is close to the dimensions of many objects we see in our everyday life.. like the door. So it can bend around the door much easily.
2006-12-28 22:27:17 · answer #1 · answered by *♥* Preethi :-) *♥* 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess you are talking about a non-glass door.
Sound that we hear is air-pressure travelling in waves, and such pressure can strike a door and cause the door to vibrate, then transmit the pressure onto the other side. Such pressures/sound waves can also travel around the edges of doors; wherever air can pass thru.
Light can only pass through "clear" objects. As long as the door is not made out of glass, then light will simply bounce off it and go elsewhere. A little bit of light may bend through the edges of doors; such shadows around doors may "tell" you that a person is there before that person makes any sound. But your eyes won't be able to make out any usable details of such person just by the fraction of light that bent its way to your eyes.
2006-12-28 20:19:21 · answer #2 · answered by justdennis 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because light is not passing through the door, then your eyes can't recieve light signal, but the sound travels as a wave and your ears percive that waves and interpret them as a sound.
2006-12-28 20:14:54 · answer #3 · answered by j_orduna 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because sound travels by waves through the air causing vibrations all around it...therefore emmiting to that door. light travels as waves too but does NOT cause vibrations and depending on the light...will not pass through doors or objects.
2006-12-28 20:13:51 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because light is easily blocked or reflected, but sound has much more energy and penetrates objects that light won't.
So, you may not be able to see her, but you can probably hear her if she isn't quiet enough!
2006-12-28 20:19:06 · answer #5 · answered by bogey 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sound waves are vibrations, light waves aren't.
2006-12-29 02:11:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ask Sir God
2006-12-28 20:14:17 · answer #7 · answered by Miss Juddy 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋