A sonar device uses sound to measure distance under water. The speed of sound in water is about 1,400 m/s. If a ship sends a signal it reflects back off of an object such as another submarine or a whale and takes 3 seconds to return, how far away is the object?

Question

A sonar device uses sound to measure distance under water.  The speed of sound in water is about 1,400 m/s.  If a ship sends a signal it reflects back off of an object such as another submarine or a whale and takes 3 seconds to return, how far away is the object?

bobpursley · Answer

if the three seconds is time going down, and time coming up, then distance=1/2 (3)(1400) m

Ethan · Answer

25