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 5.59 104 Hz, and if the speed of sound in air is 343 m/s, what is the smallest insect a bat can detect?Answer in units of mm

Answer 1

Answer:

6.136 mm

Explanation:

given,

frequency emitted by the bat = 5.59 x 10⁴ Hz

speed of sound = 343 m/s

smallest insect bat can hear  will be equal to the wavelength  of the sound the bat make.

$\lambda = \dfrac{v}{f}$

$\lambda = \dfrac{343}{5.59\times 10^4}$

$\lambda = 6.136\times 10^{-3}}$

λ = 6.136 mm

so, the smallest size of insect that bat can hear is equal to 6.136 mm

Answer 2

The smallest insect a bat can detect is of size 6.13 mm

Explanation:

Velocity = Wavelength x Frequency

v = fλ

Velocity of sound, v = 343 m/s

Frequency, f = 5.59 x 10⁴ Hz

Substituting

             343 =  Wavelength x 5.59 x 10⁴

             Wavelength = 6.13 x 10⁻³ m = 6.13 mm

A bat can detect small objects, such as an insect, whose size is approximately equal to one wavelength of the sound the bat makes.

The smallest insect a bat can detect is of size 6.13 mm