Question

Elephants and whales are known to use infrasound to communicate over very large distances. What are the advantages of infrasound for long distance communication?

a) Absorbed less by air
b) Penetrates obstacles
c) Travels longer distances
d) All of the above

Answer 1

The advantages of infrasound for long-distance communication include being absorbed less by air, the ability to penetrate obstacles, and traveling longer distances. The correct option is d) All of the above.

Step-by-step explanation:

Elephants and whales are renowned for their ability to use infrasound to communicate across vast distances. Infrasound refers to sound waves with frequencies below the range of human hearing, typically less than 20 Hz. The advantages of infrasound for long-distance communication are manifold:

• Absorbed less by air: Infrasound frequencies have larger wavelengths, which means they can travel through the air without being absorbed as much as higher frequencies.
• Penetrates obstacles: Because of their long wavelengths, infrasound can diffract around obstacles, enabling communication in dense environments like forests or underwater.
• Travels longer distances: Infrasound waves can propagate over exceptionally long distances with relatively little attenuation, facilitating communication over many kilometers.

Considering these advantages, the correct option for the question regarding the benefits of infrasound for long-distance communication would be d) All of the above.