A survey ship emits an ultrasonic sound pulse vertically downwards into the ocean. The sou… — JAMB UTME

A survey ship emits an ultrasonic sound pulse vertically downwards into the ocean. The sound wave travels through seawater at a speed of $1500\text{ m/s}$ , and its reflected echo from the seabed is detected by the ship's hydrophone $1.2\text{ s}$ after emission. What is the depth of the ocean floor at that location?

$900\text{ m}$ Answer
B
$1800\text{ m}$
C
$450\text{ m}$
D
$2700\text{ m}$

Answer

900\text{ m}

Sound emitted by the ship travels down to the seabed and reflects back to the hydrophone, taking

1.2\text{ s}

for the complete round trip. Using the relation

\text{Depth} = \frac{v \times t}{2}

, the depth is

\frac{1500 \times 1.2}{2} = 900\text{ m}

Step-by-Step Solution

Calculate total distance traveled by the sound wave

Total distance

s = v \times t = 1500\text{ m/s} \times 1.2\text{ s} = 1800\text{ m}

Distance is the product of speed and total time elapsed.

Determine the depth of the seabed

Depth

d = \frac{s}{2} = \frac{1800\text{ m}}{2} = 900\text{ m}

An echo involves the sound traveling down to the ocean floor and back up, so the depth is half the total distance.

Key Concept

Echo Reflection and Distance Calculation

Estimated Time:45s

Question

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

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