2007-10-20 13:33:25 · 3 answers · asked by Danny 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
No, light and sound are very different, for example, the speed of light is about 3000000000 m/s in a vaccum, the speed of sound in a vaccum is not possible because sound cannot travel in a vaccum. Also, sound spreds in all directions from a point of origin like when you drop a peble in a calm pond, unlike light which you know that travels in a streight line.
2007-10-20 13:44:12 · answer #1 · answered by Doris R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are three dimensions involved in a single piece of light wave (photon) propagting. Lets say the electric field oscillates "up and down," then the magnetic field oscillates "left and right" while the wave packet as a whole is moving "forward." That is the description of one photon. You might think, "well if I turn on a light bulb, and walk all around it, I can see its light everywhere!" Well thats because a LOT of photons are coming off in every direction, so the overall light comes out spherically, even though each photon has a straight path.
Sound is similar, but there are differences. Sound is rapid changes in air pressure, so its inherently spherical. But you can pick a straight path and follow along and if you measured the air pressure precisely at every point and graphed it on paper you would have the actual sound wave on your paper. This would be impossible to do of course.
2007-10-20 13:52:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Light is an electromagnetic wave and sound is a wave of alternate compression and rarefication of the atmosphere.
Doug
2007-10-20 13:39:58 · answer #3 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋