Why is sound not an electromagnetic wave

Each of these colors actually corresponds to a different wavelength of light. The sound we hear is a result of waves which we cannot see. Sound waves need something to travel through in order for it to move from one place to the next. Sound can travel through air because air is made of molecules.

These molecules carry the sound waves by bumping into each other, like dominoes knocking each other over. Sound can travel through anything made of molecules - even water! There is no sound in space because there are no molecules there to transmit the sound waves.

Electromagnetic waves are not like sound waves because they do not need molecules to travel. This means that electromagnetic waves can travel through air, solid objects and even space. This is how astronauts on spacewalks use radios to communicate. Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic wave. Electricity can be static, like what holds a balloon to the wall or makes your hair stand on end.

When an electromagnetic wave impinges upon the atoms of a material, the energy of that wave is absorbed. The absorption of energy causes the electrons within the atoms to undergo vibrations.

After a short period of vibrational motion, the vibrating electrons create a new electromagnetic wave with the same frequency as the first electromagnetic wave. While these vibrations occur for only a very short time, they delay the motion of the wave through the medium. Once the energy of the electromagnetic wave is reemitted by an atom, it travels through a small region of space between atoms.

Once it reaches the next atom, the electromagnetic wave is absorbed, transformed into electron vibrations and then reemitted as an electromagnetic wave.

This is observed in the animation below. The actual speed of an electromagnetic wave through a material medium is dependent upon the optical density of that medium.

When you will increase the volume, you can see or feel the vibration more vigorously. You can also check this by keeping your hand on your throat and then hum or talk to feel the vibration.

What vibration does that it pushes medium's molecules and you can't push anything when there is no medium and that's also why density of medium lower the volume of sound. Why is sound not classified as an electromagnetic wave? Azhar A. Apr 15, Sound is a mechanical wave. Explanation: Electromagnetic wave is a by-product of both electric and magnetic field.

That's why Sound is a mechanical wave and not an Electromagnetic wave. Related questions What causes gamma ray bursts?