Introduction to Waves

Question 27 • PBCSD_Grade_Forgiveness_2001310_Earth Space Science_S1_2019

What do sound waves and infrared waves have in common, and what makes them different?

Answer

Both carry energy through space, but sound waves are mechanical and infrared waves are electromagnetic.

Both can transfer energy through matter, but sound waves travel through air and infrared waves travel through space.

Both can transfer energy through matter, but sound waves can be heard and infrared waves can be seen.

Both carry energy through space, but sound waves require matter to pass through and infrared waves do not.

Explanation

Both sound and infrared waves transfer energy, but they differ in whether they need a medium. Sound is a mechanical wave, so it must travel through matter such as air; it cannot travel through empty space. Infrared is an electromagnetic wave and can travel through a vacuum, so choice D is correct.

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