Question

An oceanic depth-sounding vessel surveys the ocean bottom with ultrasonic waves that travel at 1530 m/s in seawater. The time delay of the echo to the ocean floor and back is 6 s. Show that the depth of the water directly below the vessel is 4590 m.

Answer 1

Explanation:

Given that,

An oceanic depth-sounding vessel surveys the ocean bottom with ultrasonic waves that travel at 1530 m/s in seawater, v = 1530 m/s

The time delay of the echo to the ocean floor and back is 6 s, t = 6 s

The distance covered by the wave to reach its echo is 2d. The formula of speed is given by :

$v=\dfrac{2d}{t}\\\\d=\dfrac{vt}{2}\\\\d=\dfrac{1530\ m/s\times 6\ s}{2}\\\\d=4590\ m$

So, the depth of the water directly below the vessel is 4590 m. Hence, proved.