Question

A big explosion on the Moon cannot be heard on the Earth. Which of the following is the correct explanation for this?

• A. The explosion produces high frequency sound waves which are inaudible.
• B. There is no medium between the Earth and the Moon.
• C. Sound waves are absorbed by the Moon’s atmosphere.
• D. Sound waves are absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere.

Answer 1

The correct option is B There is no medium between the Earth and the Moon.

Sound waves require a material medium for propagation. Since, space is vacuum, there are no molecules (material medium) through which sound waves produced by the mechanical vibrations of the explosion can propagate. Therefore, a big explosion on the Moon cannot be heard on the Earth.