Question: Can Sound Waves Produce Light?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between sound waves and light, specifically exploring whether sound can produce light. Participants examine concepts such as sonoluminescence and the conversion of energy types, while also addressing the nature of sound and light waves.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that since both sound and light are forms of vibration, sound might be able to emit light, referencing sonoluminescence as an example.
  • Another participant asserts that sound and light bear virtually no relationship to each other, suggesting that while sound cannot produce light, a light-generating device could be mapped to a keyboard to create light patterns.
  • A participant questions the distinction between sound and light by referencing sounds produced by electromagnetism and mentions a device that converts light to sound, prompting further discussion on energy conversion.
  • Another participant agrees that sound and light are different but elaborates on how various devices can convert one type of energy into another, providing examples like solar panels and speakers.
  • One participant clarifies that the "hum" from electrical equipment is due to vibrations caused by magnetic fields and is unrelated to light.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between sound and light, with some asserting they are fundamentally different and others exploring potential connections through energy conversion. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the possibility of sound producing light.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific devices and concepts, such as sonoluminescence and energy conversion mechanisms, but the discussion does not reach a consensus on the fundamental relationship between sound and light.

kaffe
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Hello.
So today I came up with an idea that since light if vibration as well as sound, could sound emit light? I know through sonoluminescence light is emitted from water using the three sides of space and vibration.

I just thought it might be cool to play a keyboard or something and have light be generated from the music.

I'm fairly new to physics to please excuse the possibility of how naive my question may seem..
 
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Sound and light bear virtually no relationship to each other, but you could certainly map a light generating device to a keyboard to generate whatever light patterns or colors you want. I'm typing on a device capable of such a task right now!
 
russ_watters said:
Sound and light bear virtually no relationship to each other, but you could certainly map a light generating device to a keyboard to generate whatever light patterns or colors you want. I'm typing on a device capable of such a task right now!

So sound waves and light waves are totally different? Then how do you explain the sounds from electromagnetism? The low hums that we don't hear. Eric Archer produced a converter that converted light to sound from various light sources: http://ericarcher.net/devices/lite2sound/
 
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kaffe said:
So sound waves and light waves are totally different?
Yes. Virtually nothing in common with each other.
Then how do you explain the sounds from electromagnetism?
You mean like speakers? We have lots of devices that can convert one type of energy into a completely different one. Car engines convert chemical energy into heat energy and kinetic energy, for examples. Solar panels convert light energy into electrical energy. And speakers convert electrical energy into sound energy.
The low hums that we don't hear. Eric Archer produced a converter that converted light to sound from various light sources: http://ericarcher.net/devices/lite2sound/
That's just a poorly developed optical microphone:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_microphone

Unlike the laser microphone which measures actual vibration to detect sound with light, that device apparently just takes light patterns and converts them to sound without a real basis for making the transformation. What is being picked-up is not real sounds.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
kaffe said:
So sound waves and light waves are totally different? Then how do you explain the sounds from electromagnetism? The low hums that we don't hear. Eric Archer produced a converter that converted light to sound from various light sources: http://ericarcher.net/devices/lite2sound/

The "hum" from transformers and other electrical equipment is from the conductors vibrating due to forces acting on them by induced magnetic fields cause by alternating currents, it has nothing to do with light.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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