Introduction to Waves

Question 11 • POP Physics 26/27

In an experiment, a ringing bell is placed in a vacuum jar that does not have any air in it. What best describes why the bell is seen vibrating but not heard?

Answer

Light waves have high frequencies and are able to pass through the vacuum jar, but the frequencies of sound waves are too low to vibrate a vacuum.

Light waves travel faster than sound waves, so they are able to travel through the vacuum jar, but sound waves do not have enough energy to vibrate glass.

Light does not need a medium to travel through, but since sound waves must have a medium to vibrate, sound is not created where no air is present.

Light is a longitudinal wave that is able to pass through the vacuum jar, but sound is a transverse wave that has to move perpendicular to air.

Explanation

Light can travel through a vacuum because it does not need matter as a medium. Sound is a mechanical wave and needs particles, such as air molecules, to carry its vibrations. With no air in the jar, the bell still vibrates and can be seen, but its sound cannot travel to the listener. Choice C describes this correctly.

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