If a sound signal is emitted from the...

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c51a0fd

If a sound signal is emitted from the oscillator of a fathometer, and two seconds elapse before the returning signal is picked up, what depth of water is indicated?

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Question 1 of 27070

Q

If a sound signal is emitted from the oscillator of a fathometer, and two seconds elapse before the returning signal is picked up, what depth of water is indicated?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Round-trip travel of sound in water (down and back up) in echo sounding • Approximate speed of sound in seawater (~800–820 fathoms per second) • Relationship between time, speed, and distance: $\text{Distance} = \text{Speed} \times \text{Time}$

💭 Think About

• First, figure out how far the sound travels in 2 seconds using the speed of sound in seawater (in fathoms per second). • Remember the sound pulse goes from the ship to the bottom AND back again—how does that affect the depth? • Once you find the total travel distance, think about what part of that total is the actual depth.

✅ Before You Answer

• Confirm you are using the speed of sound in water, not in air. • Be sure to divide the total path distance (down + up) by 2 to get the depth. • Check which answer choice is closest to your calculated depth in fathoms, not feet or meters.