Frequency of Sound and Light waves

In summary, the factors that affect the frequency of sound and light waves are different. While light waves are influenced by electromagnetic energy and can be calculated using the formula f=E/h, sound waves are affected by pressure oscillations in the air. It is important to note that while ultraviolet light has more energy than infrared light, they both travel at the same speed in air. However, in a vacuum, the speed of light is constant but in a medium, it can vary depending on the wavelength. It is also important to distinguish between classical and quantum mechanical models when discussing the energy of light waves. The "wave" of light refers to oscillations in the electromagnetic field, while the wave of sound is oscillations in air pressure.
  • #1
escalade17
4
0
Sorry for another dumb question. Thank you in advance.

What factors effect the frequency of sound and light waves. Light waves are effected by electromagnetic energy and given by (f=E/h) right? What about sound waves?

Also, to make sure, even though ultraviolet light has much more energy infrared light and hence a proportionally greater frequency and lower wavelength, they both travel at 3*10^8 in air. All light travels at 3*10^8 in air, right?
 
Science news on Phys.org
  • #2
Taken backwards
- the speed of light in a vacuum is a constant ... but, in a media, it can depend on the wavelength.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refractive_index
The speed of light in air is very close to that in vacuum so we usually just pretend it's the same.

The energy carried by a photon in determined by the frequency and plancs constant ... not the energy of the light wave. You have to be careful about confusing different models - one is classical and the other quantum mechanical.

The "wave" of light is oscillations in the electro-magnetic field strength in space. The wave of sound is oscillations in the pressure of the air.
 
  • #3
got it. thank you.
 

1. What is the difference between the frequency of sound and light waves?

The frequency of sound refers to the number of sound waves that pass through a point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz). Light waves, on the other hand, have a much higher frequency and are measured in Terahertz (THz). This means that light waves have a much shorter wavelength than sound waves.

2. How does frequency affect the pitch of sound?

The frequency of sound waves is directly related to the pitch of the sound. Higher frequency sound waves have a higher pitch, while lower frequency sound waves have a lower pitch. This is why a high-pitched sound, like a whistle, has a higher frequency than a low-pitched sound, like a bass drum.

3. Can we see different frequencies of light?

Yes, we can see different frequencies of light! The visible light spectrum ranges from approximately 400-700 THz, with violet having the highest frequency and red having the lowest. Beyond this range, there are other types of light waves that are not visible to the human eye, such as infrared and ultraviolet.

4. How does the frequency of light waves affect color?

The frequency of light waves is directly related to the color that we perceive. For example, blue light has a higher frequency than red light, which is why we see it as a different color. This is also why a prism can separate white light into a rainbow of colors, based on their different frequencies.

5. What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

Frequency and wavelength are inversely related. This means that as the frequency of a wave increases, the wavelength decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the formula: speed = frequency x wavelength, where speed is a constant value for a specific medium.

Similar threads

I Sound power, amplitude, frequency, and decibels
    • Classical Physics
Replies
5
Views
371
The microscopic expl. of how light is slowed in materials
    • Optics
Replies
2
Views
11K
B Do observers always agree on the number of waves in a beam of light?
    • Special and General Relativity
Replies
12
Views
332
I Speed of light after exiting a transparent medium
    • Special and General Relativity
Replies
17
Views
697
Refraction of IR "light" in CCD sensors SiO2 layer
    • Optics
Replies
9
Views
1K
Intuitive reasoning for frequency remaining constant during refraction
    • Optics
Replies
10
Views
3K
B Waves in space
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
10
Views
194
Can the Doppler Effect Cause Changes in Radio Wave Frequency?
    • Optics
Replies
4
Views
2K
I Particle and wave model understanding -- help please
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
5
Views
824
I Is nonlinear acoustics in mainstream physics?
    • Classical Physics
2
Replies
42
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top