why speed of light so high as compared to speed of sound

The speed of light is significantly higher than the speed of sound due to fundamental differences in the mediums through which they travel and the nature of the waves themselves. Here are the key reasons for this difference:

Nature of the Waves

• Light: Light is an electromagnetic wave, which doesn't require a physical medium to propagate. It can travel through a vacuum, such as outer space, where there is no matter. The speed of light in a vacuum, denoted as 'c,' is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (m/s) or about 186,282 miles per second (mi/s).
• Sound: Sound, on the other hand, is a mechanical wave. It requires a material medium (such as air, water, or solids) for propagation. Sound waves involve the compression and rarefaction of the medium's particles. The speed of sound varies depending on the medium. For example, in dry air at room temperature (about 20°C or 68°F), sound travels at approximately 343 meters per second (m/s), or roughly 1,125 feet per second (ft/s).

Energy Transfer Mechanism

• Light: Electromagnetic waves, including light, transfer energy through oscillations of electric and magnetic fields. These fields can propagate through empty space, which allows light to travel at an incredibly high speed.
• Sound: Sound waves transfer energy through the mechanical vibrations of particles in a medium. Because of this, the speed of sound is limited by the properties of the medium. In air, for instance, the speed of sound is much slower than in denser media like water or solid materials.

Limitations on Speed

• The speed of light in a vacuum represents the ultimate speed limit in the universe, as predicted by Albert Einstein's theory of relativity. Nothing with mass can travel at or faster than the speed of light in a vacuum.