Question

A sound strikes a school of fish in the ocean and the echo returns to a biologist 0.020 s after the original signal is sent. If the speed of sound in water at the time was 1500 m/s, then the depth at which the fish are located is approximately what?

Answer 1

To calculate the depth at which the fish are located, we can use the equation:

Depth = (Speed of sound × Time) / 2

Given: Speed of sound in water = 1500 m/s Time for the echo to return = 0.020 s

Plugging in these values into the equation, we get:

Depth = (1500 m/s × 0.020 s) / 2 Depth = (30 m) / 2 Depth = 15 m

Therefore, the approximate depth at which the fish are located is 15 meters.