Final answer:
A robbery alarm is designed to discretely alert the authorities during a robbery, while a panic alarm is used in various emergencies and may be silent or loud to signal distress. Both alarms serve the purpose of security but are intended for different situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between a robbery alarm and a panic alarm lies in the nature and purpose of each system. A robbery alarm is specifically designed to be activated during or after a robbery attempt; it is usually a silent alarm to alert the authorities without alerting the robber. On the other hand, a panic alarm is intended for use in various emergency situations, such as a medical emergency, fire, or personal safety threat. It could be noisy or silent and is used to signal distress or the need for immediate help from the authorities or people nearby.
Imagine this scenario, where the police have caught two individuals suspected of armed robbery. If a robbery alarm had been activated during the crime, it would have alerted the police to the situation discreetly, without immediate knowledge of the suspects. Conversely, if a person was caught in a threatful situation and could trigger a panic alarm, it would alert others to their need for help regardless of whether a robbery or any other type of emergency was occurring.