Question

In a SONAR, ultrasonic waves are sent into the sea water and the reflected waves from a sunken ship are received after $2\text{s}$. If the velocity of waves in sea water is $1450{\text{m s}}^{-1}$​, find the depth of the sunken ship.

• A. $2900\text{m}$
• B. $1450\text{m}$
• C. $2800\text{m}$
• D. $3000\text{m}$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $1450\text{m}$

Given:
Speed of sound in ocean, $v=1450{\text{m s}}^{-1}$
Time taken for the wave to move towards the sunken ship, get reflected and reach back to the source, $t=2\text{s}$

Let the depth of the sunken ship be $d$

Total distance travelled by the wave is $2d$

Using distance formula,
$2d=vt$
$2d=1450\times 2$
$d=1450\text{m}$

Hence, the depth of the sunken ship is $1450\text{m}$.