Sound is ultimately propagated by the same "stuff" as light (i.e. electromagnetism), except sound has the medium's constituent particles involved in a delayed relay.
Sound is a series of elastic collisions between neighboring particles. The inter-particle spacing is relatively large compared to particle sizes.
The particles must move across the inter-particle spacing, then collide, relaying the sound to the next group.
The interaction of the elastic collision is electrostatic repulsion. The particles don't actually touch, the outermost electron layers REPEL.
SO...sound is a SUPERPOSITION of both the existing chaotic molecule motion with a general trend in the wave propagation AND the elastic collision interaction.
Light being the fastest stuff in the universe...the elastic collision propagates the sound information AT the speed of light. BUT, the distance the particles must "run" before they get to relay the sound information is what causes the speed of sound to be much lower than that of light. The molecule run cannot exceed the speed of light.
Sound is a series of elastic collisions between neighboring particles. The inter-particle spacing is relatively large compared to particle sizes.
The particles must move across the inter-particle spacing, then collide, relaying the sound to the next group.
The interaction of the elastic collision is electrostatic repulsion. The particles don't actually touch, the outermost electron layers REPEL.
SO...sound is a SUPERPOSITION of both the existing chaotic molecule motion with a general trend in the wave propagation AND the elastic collision interaction.
Light being the fastest stuff in the universe...the elastic collision propagates the sound information AT the speed of light. BUT, the distance the particles must "run" before they get to relay the sound information is what causes the speed of sound to be much lower than that of light. The molecule run cannot exceed the speed of light.
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sound waves have to move the particles in the media through which they travel which slows them down. Light waves are not subject to that rule. Light waves are electromagnetic so they can travel through any media without having to disturb the particles in the media.
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Light is an electromagnetic wave which does not require a medium to pass through. Sound is a mechanical wave which requires a medium to pass through such as air (that is why you cant talk in space)
Thats why people appear bright until you hear them speak :)
Thats why people appear bright until you hear them speak :)
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light does not need a medium(air) to travel in, while sound does. So it takes longer for the particles in the medium to pass on the sound to the next.
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Light is faster than anything, so why wonder about sound...?