Question

A research historian is interested in finding sunken treasure in the Atlantic Ocean. She knows that her equipment is only good enough to recover items that are at a depth of 5 000 m or less. The speed of sound through the water is 1 530 m/s. While working, the sonar equipment detects a reflection that is of interest. The echo from the item takes 6.2 s to return to the sonar detector. Will she be able to retrieve this item?

Answer 1

Yes, she will be able to retrieve the item

Explanation:

The information with regards to the research historian interest in finding a sunken treasure are;

The depth from which the equipment can recover items = 5,000 m

The speed of sound through water, v = 1,530 m/s

The time it takes the echo from the item to return to the sonar detector, t = 6.2 s

Let d, represent the depth at which the item is located

Given that an echo travels from the sonar detector to the item and back to the sonar detector, the distance traveled by the sound wave which is received as an echo by the sonar detector = 2 × d

Velocity, v = Distance/time

∴ Distance = Velocity × Time

The distance traveled by the echo = 2 × d = v × t

2 × d = v × t

∴ 2 × d = 1,530 m/s × 6.2 s

d = (1,530 m/s × 6.2 s)/2 = 4,743 m

The depth at which the item is located, d = 4,743 m is less than the maximum depth the equipment can recover items, therefore, she will be able to retrieve the item.