Light waves and sound waves differ primarily in their nature, propagation medium, wave type, and speed.

• Light waves are electromagnetic waves that can travel through a vacuum (empty space) without needing any medium, whereas sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium (like air, water, or solids) to travel through.

• Light waves are transverse waves, meaning their oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of wave travel. In contrast, sound waves are longitudinal waves, where particle vibrations are parallel to the wave's direction.

• The speed of light waves is vastly faster—approximately 300,000,000 meters per second in a vacuum—while sound waves travel much slower, about 340 meters per second in air.

• Sound waves are generated by vibrating objects and consist of compressions and rarefactions in the medium, while light waves arise from oscillating electric and magnetic fields.

These distinctions explain everyday experiences like seeing lightning before hearing thunder and why sound cannot travel through space but light can.