Question

Can sound waves travel on the moon? Is it possible that we could hear a sound on the moon?

Answer 1

Sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave, through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid. Sound is a form of energy that causes a sensation of hearing in our ears.

Complete answer:
Sound needs a medium to travel. This medium can be solid, liquid or a gas. This is because solids, liquids and gas carry the sound waves in the form of vibrations from one place to another. On the moon, there is no atmosphere. For practical purposes, it is considered that the moon has a vacuum but in reality there is very less air present on the moon. Due to the absence of atmosphere on the moon, there are no molecules which can vibrate and carry the sound forward. Thus, we can say that the sound waves cannot travel on the moon and we cannot hear a sound on the moon.

Additional information:
When astronauts go to the moon, they are not able to communicate as they are able to do on earth. They carry special devices which convert these sound waves into radio-waves. Thus, astronauts communicate with each other on the moon with the help of radio-waves.

Note: The loudness of a sound depends on the amplitude of vibration producing the sound. Amplitude is defined as the maximum displacement or distance moved by a point on a vibrating body or wave measured from its equilibrium position.