What are some key differences between sound and light waves?

Sound waves have mass, as they are the longitudinal (along the path of the wave) vibration shockwave of molecule, while light waves do not, as they are the transverse displacement of just energy.

Sound waves cannot travel in a vacuum, as they require a medium of massive particle to be transvered, but light wave can, as they are simply a form of energy.

In spite of this, the basic properties of waves still apply to both - light and sound can be reflected by objects, they can be refracted in different media, they have wavelength and frequency, and they can interfere to change the magnitude of a wave at any point.

YP
Answered by Yaniv P. Physics tutor

59901 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Alice and Bob are sat on a seesaw. The seesaw is in static equilibrium. Alice weighs 500N and is sat 0.5m to the left of the pivot. If Bob weighs 800N, how far from the pivot on the right is he sat? What happens if Bob moves closer to the pivot?


Describe the forces acting on an object on earth falling through the air, and how they change from when the object is first released into the air leading to terminal velocity.


The amplitude of a simple harmonic oscillator has decreased from 40cm to 38cm. What percentage of energy did the harmonic oscillator lose?


A ball of mass 500g is dropped from rest 2m above the ground. When it reaches the ground it is travelling at 5m/s. How much energy has been dissipated?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning