Similarity and difference between light and sound?

In summary: It is not due to antinodes in a standing wave pattern. The particles form when the waves vibrate the soot in the chimney.
  • #1
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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  • #2
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.
 
  • #3
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.
 

1. What is the main difference between light and sound?

The main difference between light and sound is that light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that can travel through a vacuum, while sound is a mechanical wave that requires a medium, such as air, to travel through.

2. How do light and sound both travel?

Light travels in a straight line and at a constant speed of 299,792,458 meters per second, while sound travels in a wave-like pattern and at a speed that depends on the properties of the medium it is traveling through.

3. How is light and sound both perceived by humans?

Light is perceived by the eye and allows us to see objects and colors, while sound is perceived by the ear and allows us to hear different pitches and volumes.

4. What are the similarities between light and sound?

Both light and sound are forms of energy that can be reflected, refracted, and absorbed. They can also both be used to transmit information.

5. How do light and sound interact with each other?

Light and sound can interact in various ways, such as when light waves hit an object and produce sound, or when sound waves cause objects to vibrate and produce light. They can also both be used in technologies, such as sonar and fiber optics, to perform tasks such as communication and navigation.

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