Question

Sonar systems used in water send out sound waves that reflect off the environment and then are detected. As water gets denser, the speed of sound in water increases. What would happen to the wavelength of a sonar wave as it moves into water with a 5% higher speed of sound?
(1 point)
The wavelength would change to match the new frequency.
The wavelength would increase by 5%.
The wavelength would stay the same.
The wavelength would decrease by 5%.

Answer 1

The wavelength would increase by 5%.

Reason: wavelength λ = v/f. The source frequency f stays the same, so a 5% increase in wave speed v gives a 5% increase in λ.