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From: daveb@eneevax.UUCP (David Bengtson)
Newsgroups: sci.misc,sci.physics
Subject: Re: differences between sound and light waves?
Keywords: macroscopic behaviour
Message-ID: <1220@eneevax.UUCP>
Date: 8 Feb 88 19:52:22 GMT
References: <413@prlb2.UUCP> <4110@aw.sei.cmu.edu>
Sender: news@eneevax.UUCP
Reply-To: daveb@eneevax.umd.edu.UUCP (David Bengtson)
Organization: Elec. Eng. Dept., U of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
Lines: 26

In article <4110@aw.sei.cmu.edu> firth@bd.sei.cmu.edu.UUCP (Robert Firth) writes:
>In article <413@prlb2.UUCP> ronse@prlb2.UUCP (Christian Ronse) writes:
>>As I am thinking about differences between vision and audition, I would like
>>to know the difference of behaviour between light waves and sound waves which
>>manifest themselves at our everyday (Newtonian, non-quantum) scale. For

 For me, the most obvious diffrence is that light is electromagnetic in 
nature, and as such is governed by Maxwells equations, while sound is a 
physical vibration in the material that the sound propogates through. Other
than that, the wave equation applies to both, and ( I assume ) is solved 
the same way. Except, of course, with sound, one must take material constants
into account, while with EM, vacuum is generally assumes.  
>
>(e) Finally, of course, we can generate sounds as well as perceive them; we
>    can't generate colours.
 
Actually, we can 'generate' colors. Color generally refers to our perception
of specific wavelengths of Optical frequency radation, and as such, can 
be generated easily. Just think of paint, neon tubes, colored light bulbs, 
etc. 
   David Bengtson                          If you think that I speak for
   Laboratory for Plasma Fusion            the University, I've got a Bridge
   University of Maryland                  to sell you :-) 
   College Park Md 20742  
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