Question

In what ways are sound waves and electromagnetic waves similar? In what ways are they different? Some one plz explain???? Theye will get a medal!

Answer 1

Help?

Answer 2

This is a good question: both sound waves and electromagnetic (EM) waves have wavelengths and frequencies and phenomena such as Doppler shifts can be observed for both - in sound waves the perceived pitch alters when the moving source passes the observer whereas for light the red shift in the spectrum of star light shows the star is moving away from us. However, sound waves are composed of high and low pressure and hence need a medium to move through - sound cannot travel through a vacuum whereas EM waves like visible light, X-rays, microwaves and infra red can all pass through a vacuum such as space. EM radiation can be thought of as magnetic field variation of a particular frequency - there are good diagrams and explanations below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_waves#Longitudinal_and_transverse_waves
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_wave

Answer 3

@Antoonyloony