Statement I : Sound waves can travel through vacuum. Statement I : Light is an electromagnetic wave and can travel through vacuum.

Statement I is false because sound is a mechanical wave that requires a material medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate [1]. It travels through the compression and rarefaction of particles; therefore, it cannot travel through a vacuum where no particles exist to transmit energy [1]. Statement II is true because light is a transverse electromagnetic wave consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields [1]. Unlike mechanical waves, electromagnetic waves do not require a material medium and can propagate through the vacuum of empty space. This fundamental difference explains why we can see light from distant stars but cannot hear sounds from space [1]. Since Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct, option 4 is the only valid choice.

Sources

1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 5: Earths Magnetic Field (Geomagnetic Field) > Why Do Sound Waves Travel Faster In A Denser Medium Whereas Light Travels Slower? > p. 64