Final answer:
An echo is the reflection of sound that returns to the listener from a distant surface, resulting in a distinct repetition, whereas reverberation is a buildup of sound reflecting within an enclosed space, causing a prolonged wash of noise. They both involve sound waves bouncing off surfaces, but differ in how the reflected sound is perceived.
Step-by-step explanation:
An echo is the sound you hear when your voice or another noise reflects off a distant surface and returns to your ears. A strong single reflection in a large open space such as near a mountain can create a clear echo. Reverberation, on the other hand, occurs when sound reflects off surfaces in an enclosed space, causing a persistence or prolongation of sound as the reflections build up and then slowly decay.
The similarity between echoes and reverberation is that both are a result of sound waves bouncing off surfaces and returning to the listener. The difference lies in the duration and perception of the sound; an echo is a distinct repetition of the sound after a delay, while reverberation is a build-up of sound resulting in a wash of noise that gradually fades.
Echoes and reverberation are very useful properties of waves, and the reflection of waves is exploited in technologies such as radar and ultrasound for various measurements, including determining distances and creating images.