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A dolphin emits ultrasound at 100kHz and uses the timing of reflections to determine the position of objects in the water. What is the wavelength of this ultrasound? Assume that temperature of water is 20C.

User BaldyHDL
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2 Answers

1 vote

Final answer:

The wavelength of the ultrasound is approximately 0.01482 meters.

Step-by-step explanation:

The wavelength of ultrasound can be calculated using the formula:

λ = v/f

Where:

λ is the wavelength

v is the speed of sound in the medium

f is the frequency of the ultrasound

In this case, the frequency of the ultrasound is 100 kHz, which can be converted to 100,000 Hz. The speed of sound in water at 20°C is approximately 1482 m/s. Substituting these values into the formula, we get:

λ = 1482 m/s / 100,000 Hz

λ ≈ 0.01482 m

The wavelength of the ultrasound is approximately 0.01482 meters.

4 votes
To answer the question above,
First, let's determine the speed of sound under the water.
S
peed of sound in water at 20oC = 1482m/s

So λ = v/f = 1482m/s/(100kHz) I'm assuming your frequency is 100kHz

So λ would be = 0.0148m
I hope my answer helped you.
User Matt Woelk
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