A bat can detect small objects, such as an insect, whose size is approximately equal to one wavelength of the sound the bat makes. If bats emit a chirp at a frequency of 8.31 104 Hz, and if the speed of sound in air is 343 m/s, what is the smallest insect a bat can detect?

Question

A bat can detect small objects, such as an insect, whose size is approximately equal to one wavelength of the sound the bat makes. If bats emit a chirp at a frequency of 8.31  104 Hz, and if the speed of sound in air is 343 m/s, what is the smallest insect a bat can detect?
_______________  mm

Henry · Answer

L = V * (1/F). L = 343m/s * (1/8.31*10^4)s=41.28*10^-4m = 4.13 mm.