Light, Sound, Radio Waves: Up/Down Motion?

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In summary, light and sound are both forms of energy that travel in waves, but have different properties. Light is an electromagnetic wave that can travel through a vacuum, while sound is a mechanical wave that needs a medium to travel through. They both have the ability to reflect, refract, and diffract, and can be measured by properties such as frequency, wavelength, and amplitude. The difference in frequency or wavelength of a wave as it moves towards or away from an observer is known as the Doppler effect, which can be observed in both sound and light waves.
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do light, sound, and radio waves move/vibrate in an up and down motion?
 
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AH020387 said:
do light, sound, and radio waves move/vibrate in an up and down motion?

sound waves, no, they are compressions or decompressions, and their displacements are forward and backward

light and radio waves, yes (but there's nothing to displace)

you need to do extensive reading on this, to understand it … start with wikipedia :smile:
 

FAQ: Light, Sound, Radio Waves: Up/Down Motion?

What is the difference between light and sound?

Light and sound are both forms of energy that travel in waves, but they have different properties. Light is an electromagnetic wave that can travel through a vacuum, while sound is a mechanical wave that needs a medium, such as air or water, to travel through. Light waves have a higher frequency and shorter wavelength than sound waves, which gives them the ability to travel faster and be perceived as different colors.

How do radio waves work?

Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic wave that are used for communication. They are created by oscillating electric and magnetic fields, and can travel long distances through the atmosphere. Radio waves can be modulated to carry information, such as sound, by varying the amplitude or frequency of the wave. These modulated waves are then received by a radio antenna and converted back into sound waves.

What causes up and down motion in waves?

Up and down motion in waves, also known as oscillation, is caused by the transfer of energy from one point to another. In the case of light and sound waves, this energy transfer is due to the vibration of particles in the medium through which the wave is traveling. This vibration creates peaks and troughs in the wave, resulting in the up and down motion that we perceive.

How are light and sound waves similar?

Although light and sound waves have different properties, they also have some similarities. Both waves can be reflected, refracted, and diffracted, which means they can change direction when they encounter different materials or obstacles. They also both have properties such as frequency, wavelength, and amplitude that can be measured and used to describe the wave.

How does the Doppler effect work with sound and light waves?

The Doppler effect is the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave as it moves towards or away from an observer. This effect can be observed with both sound and light waves. For example, when a sound wave is moving towards an observer, the frequency of the wave appears higher, resulting in a higher pitch. When the wave is moving away from the observer, the frequency appears lower, resulting in a lower pitch. The same concept applies to light waves, where the frequency appears higher when the wave is moving towards an observer, resulting in a blue shift, and lower when the wave is moving away, resulting in a red shift.

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