John Clayton
The creation of the cosmos involved a wide range of physical
substances and energies expressed in very specific ways. Light is
expressed in a two dimensional particle called a photon that has
mass as long as it is moving and no mass when it stops. Light
exists not only in visible light but also in the form of radio,
ultraviolet, infrared, x-rays, and others dependent on frequency
energy. Light waves are very specific in their properties and
form. Sound waves are a completely different phenomena which
share many of the properties of light waves and yet are
remarkably different.
Light waves travel in a transverse method shown in Box A. The
energy is put into the wave vertically and it travels in the
pattern shown. Sound waves are put into the material in a
longitudinal way and compress and stretch the material as shown
in Box B. Unlike light waves, sound waves have no mass and can
only exist if there is a material for the wave to react with.
There is no sound in the vacuum of space because there is no
material for the sound to react with. An exploding star or
spaceship makes no sound (in spite of what Hollywood portrays).
Because of the nature of sound we are able to hear things in
total darkness and under almost any conditions. When a sound wave
compresses and stretches a material as shown in Box B, the sound
wave spreads out in all directions. Every material in nature has
a natural frequency at which it vibrates which is called a
resonate frequency. A sound wave will cause every material of the
same frequency as the sound wave to vibrate. In our ears there
are many hair like structures called cillia. Each cillia vibrates
at one particular frequency. When that frequency activates the
cillia, the signal to the brain identifies the sound both in
terms of frequency, loudness, and quality.
Sounds properties allow animals to communicate in many
different ways. Sound travels through liquids, solids, and gases.
Man has learned to use sound to record history, provide pleasure
and to see things without light. We have also learned to use
resonance to break up kidney stones and clean oil from our
clothes. When you consider the nature of sound and the complexity
of the equipment seen in living things to utilize sound, the
incredible intelligence of the design of sound and light can be
seen. Sound waves are a dynamic part of our world and speak to us
of its design in a unique way.
This article taken from: Does God Exist?, March/April 1999.
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