Question

One similarity between sound and light is that
A. Both can propagate in vacuum.
B. Both have the same speed.
C. Both can show polarization.
D. Both can show interference.

Answer 1

Both light and sound are the waves. Light wave does not require medium for its propagation whereas sound requires medium for its propagation. We know that only transverse waves can show polarization.

Complete step by step answer:
We know that light does not require a medium for its propagation. Therefore, the light can propagate through vacuum. We also know that sound waves require a medium for its propagation. The sound cannot propagate if there is nothing. Therefore, the sound wave cannot propagate through vacuum.

Therefore, the option (A) is incorrect.

We know the speed of light is 3,00,000 km/s. but the speed of sound in the air medium is 330 m/s. Therefore, the speed of sound is very less than the speed of light and the speed of light is 9,00,000 times faster than the sound wave.

Therefore, the option (B) is incorrect.

We know that only transverse waves undergo polarization. The light is a transverse wave whereas a sound wave is a longitudinal wave. Therefore, the light wave undergoes polarization but the sound wave cannot.

Therefore, the option (C) is incorrect.

We know that interference of light occurs when two waves superimpose on one another and result in another wave with higher or lower amplitude than the former incident waves. Sound waves also superimpose on one another and the forms a resultant sound wave with higher or lower amplitude. When two speakers are placed randomly close to each other, the second speaker cancels out the certain frequencies that the first speaker is producing.

So, the correct answer is option (D).

Note:
Similar to light, sound also reflects, refracts and attenuates. The intensity of both sound and light decreases as we move away from the source. Both light and sound are waves but light waves are transverse and sound waves are longitudinal. Therefore, the light wave can be represented by sinusoidal waves and sound waves cannot be represented by sinusoidal waves.