Question

Explain the working and applications of SONAR.

Answer 1

The acronym SONAR stands for Sound Navigation And Ranging.

Sonar is a device that uses ultrasonic waves to measure the distance, direction, and speed of underwater objects.

PRINCIPLE:

It uses the phenomenon of echos in determining the sea depth and locating the pressure of water-water objects.

WORKING:

(i) Sonar consists of a transmitter and a detector and is installed in a boat or a ship.

(ii) The transmitter produces and transmitted strong ultrasonic waves.

(iii) These waves travel through the water and after striking the objects the beam is reflected from the sea beds and is received by an underwater detector which is also mounted on the ship.

(iv) The detector converts the ultrasonic waves into electrical signals which are approximately interpreted.

(v) The time interval between transmission and receiving of the ultrasonic signal is noted.

The sonar method is also called echo ranging. This technique is used to determine the depth of the sea and to locate underwater hills, valleys, submarines, icebergs, etc.