How is energy transferred by light and sound?

Energy is transferred through light and sound waves as they propagate through different mediums. Light energy is transmitted in the form of electromagnetic waves, which can travel through a vacuum as well as through transparent materials, such as air or glass. These waves carry energy that can be absorbed by objects, leading to various effects, such as heating (when light strikes a surface) or enabling vision (as our eyes perceive light).

Similarly, sound energy is transferred via mechanical waves that require a medium, such as air, water, or solid materials, to propagate. Sound waves are created by vibrating objects, which cause particles in the medium to vibrate and transfer energy through these vibrations. This is why we can hear sounds as they travel through the air or other substances.

The other choices do not accurately describe the mechanisms through which energy is transferred by light and sound. Electric charges pertain to electrical energy, while mechanical components relate to mechanical energy. Gravitational potential energy involves energy related to the position of an object in a gravitational field, rather than the wave nature of light and sound. Thus, the most accurate description of how energy is transferred by light and sound is through the waves they create, effectively demonstrating the energy they carry as they move.