Question

California sea lions communicate underwater at frequencies ranging from 500 to 4,000 hertz. The speed of sound in sea water is approximately 1,500 m/s. What are the approximate wavelengths of sound with which the California sea lions communicate?(1 point)
Responses

750,000 to 6,000,000 meters
750,000 to 6,000,000 meters

2,000 to 5,500 meters
2,000 to 5,500 meters

0.375 to 3 meters
0.375 to 3 meters

0.33 to 2.66 meters

1 answer

To calculate the wavelengths of sound for the California sea lions, we can use the formula for wavelength:

\[ \text{Wavelength} (\lambda) = \frac{\text{Speed of Sound} (v)}{\text{Frequency} (f)} \]

Given:

  • Speed of sound in sea water (\(v\)) = 1,500 m/s
  • Frequencies (\(f\)) range from 500 Hz to 4,000 Hz.

Now, we can calculate the wavelengths for each frequency:

  1. For \(f = 500\) Hz:

\[ \lambda = \frac{1500 \text{ m/s}}{500 \text{ Hz}} = 3 \text{ meters} \]

  1. For \(f = 4000\) Hz:

\[ \lambda = \frac{1500 \text{ m/s}}{4000 \text{ Hz}} = 0.375 \text{ meters} \]

Thus, the wavelengths range from 0.375 meters to 3 meters.

Therefore, the correct response is:

0.375 to 3 meters.