Which of the following phenomenon is notcommon to sound and light wave...
Sound waves can not be polarised as they are longitudinal. Light waves can be polarised as they are transverse.
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Which of the following phenomenon is notcommon to sound and light wave...
Understanding the Differences Between Sound and Light Waves
When comparing sound and light waves, several phenomena can be observed. However, one key phenomenon does not apply to sound waves: polarization.
Key Characteristics of Sound and Light Waves
- Interference:
- Both sound and light waves can interfere with each other. This occurs when two waves meet and combine, leading to areas of increased amplitude (constructive interference) and decreased amplitude (destructive interference).
- Diffraction:
- Both types of waves can bend around obstacles or spread out after passing through narrow openings, demonstrating diffraction. This property is observable in sound waves as well as in light waves.
- Coherence:
- Coherence refers to the correlation between the phases of waves. Both sound and light can exhibit coherence, which is crucial for phenomena like interference patterns.
Why Polarization is Unique to Light
- Nature of Waves:
- Polarization is a phenomenon that only occurs with transverse waves, where the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Light is a transverse wave and can be polarized.
- Sound Waves:
- Sound waves, on the other hand, are longitudinal waves, where the oscillations occur in the same direction as the wave travels. This fundamental difference means that sound waves cannot be polarized.
Conclusion
In summary, while interference, diffraction, and coherence are common to both sound and light waves, polarization is exclusive to light. This distinction is crucial for understanding the behavior of different types of waves in various contexts.