We discussed echolocation as a form of sensory perception used by animals such a

Question

We discussed echolocation as a form of sensory perception used by animals such a bats, toothed whales and dolphins. Bats use echolocation to determine their distance from objects they cannot easily see in the dark. They use the time between the emission of a sound pulse and the detection of its echo to determine such distances. Consider a bat flying at a constant speed of 19.3 m/s in a straight line toward a vertical cave wall. I makes a single call and hears the echo 0.12 s later. Assuming that she continued flying at her original speed, calculate her distance from the wall when she received the echo? (assume the speed of sound is 343 m/s)

Explanation / Answer

Given

bat speed is v = 19.3 m/s

time at which bat hears the echo is t = 0.12 s

the speed of th4e sound is v = 343 m/s

the distance covered by the bat when it hears the echo is  

d_b = v*t = 19.3*0.12 = 2.316 m

and the distance covered by the sound when it hears the echo is 2d

2d = V*t ===> d = v*t/2 = 343*0.12/2 = 20.58 m

now the distance from the wall when she received the echo is d-d_b = 20.58- 2.316 m = 18.264 m

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse W
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.