Similarity and difference between light and sound?

AI Thread Summary
Light exhibits a dual nature, functioning as both a wave and a particle, demonstrated by experiments where a single photon can create distinct marks based on the number of holes it passes through. In contrast, sound waves, particularly ultrasonic waves, can also leave particle-like marks, as seen in a chimney cleaning experiment where bubbles formed and disrupted soot. The discussion raises the possibility of describing light purely as a wave, with photons representing measurable portions of that wave. Additionally, the concept of sonic black holes is introduced, highlighting their similarities to astrophysical black holes and their potential to emit phononic Hawking radiation. The conversation emphasizes that the dual nature of light is not unique, as sound waves exhibit comparable properties under certain conditions.
GTOM
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They talk about light's unique dual nature, that it can be both a wave and a particle (photon).

One illustration for that is the following experiment, a single photon can go through one hole, and leave a particle like mark, or it can go through two holes, and leave interference marks.

However there was an interesting experiment with sound, they cleaned a chimney with ultrasonic waves, and it left particle like marks, as small bubbles formed, and they teared into the soot.

Isnt it possible the describe light as a pure wave, and photon is a smallest portion of this wave that we can measure, or emit?

I also found interesting, that there is a concept : sonic black hole.

"They are called sonic, or acoustic, black holes because these trapped phonons are analogous to light in astrophysical (gravitational) black holes. Physicists are interested in them because they have many properties similar to astrophysical black holes and, in particular, are predicted to emit a phononic version of Hawking radiation."
 
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GTOM said:
They talk about light's unique dual nature, that it can be both a wave and a particle (photon).

Where have you seen someone saying that light's dual particle/wave nature is unique? It's not.
 
GTOM said:
One illustration for that is the following experiment, a single photon can go through one hole, and leave a particle like mark, or it can go through two holes, and leave interference marks.
One photon can only cause one mark (interacting with just one sensor / silver halide crystal / etc.), whether there are two holes, one hole or many holes. A lot of photons will (statistically) cause a diffraction pattern whether there are two holes, one hole or many holes. The diffraction pattern for one hole has a main peak and several detectable smaller peaks - the spacing depends on the radius of the hole. The spacing of fringes for two holes depend on the hole spacing - But the single hole diffraction pattern also affects the brightness of the two hole fringes.

they cleaned a chimney with ultrasonic waves, and it left particle like marks
Is that not due to antinodes in a standing wave pattern? Do you have a reference as it sounds interesting.
 
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