Question
Answer ALL questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided. Some questions must be answered with a cross in a box 凶 . If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross ⊠ . 1 (a) State three differences between radio waves and sound waves. (3) 1 2 3
Answer
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Harvey
Veteran · Tutor for 11 years
Answer
1. Radio waves can propagate through vacuum whereas sound waves cannot and need a material medium to propagate.2. The speed of radio waves is the speed of light which is much faster than the speed of sound waves.. 3. The frequency of radio waves is much higher than that of sound waves.
Explanation
The question requires you to state three differences between radio waves and sound waves. Let's discuss these:1. Propagation: The first distinct difference between radio and sound waves is the medium through which they propagate. Radio waves being a type of electromagnetic radiation, can propagate through vacuum. On the other hand. Sound waves require a material medium (like air, water, etc.) to propagate. These cannot transmit through vacuum.2. Speed: The speed of propagation is another prominent difference. The speed of radio waves, like all electromagnetic waves, is around 299792 kms/s, which is the speed of light. The speed of sound in air, however, is much slower, and generally is around 343 m/s. The exact speed changes based on temperature, humidity, and other factors.3. Frequency: Radio and sound waves also operate at vastly different frequencies. Radio waves that we use range from about 3 kHz (3000 wave cycles per second) to about 300 GHz (300 billion wave cycles per second). On the other hand, the frequency of sound that the typical human ear can perceive ranges from about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz—much lower than even the lowest frequency radio waves.