How Fast Does Sound Travel Through Water and Granite?

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of explosives to detect underground oil deposits and the factors that may affect the depth at which the oil can be reached. It is mentioned that the lake where the exploration is taking place is 500-m deep and is carved out of a granite basin. The question is raised about the depth of the oil deposit and the reasoning behind it is explained, with a difference in the answer given by the book. Additionally, there is a question about the speed of sound in water and granite.
  • #1
bigsaucy
38
0
Hi all, quick problem I'm having trouble with.

Oil explorers set off explosives to make louds sounds, then listens for the echoes from underground oil deposits. Geologists suspect that there is oil under 500-m deep lake physics. It's known that lake physics is carved out of a granite basin. Explorers detect a weak echo 0.94s after exploding dynamite at the lake surface. If it's really oil, how deep will they have to drill into the granite to reach it?

i reasoned that since the speed of sound in water is 1480 m/s and it takes (0.94/2) or 0.47 seconds to reach the oil bed, that the sound wave from the explosion travels 695.6m which is 195.6m from the granite basin. the book says the answer is 760m
 
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  • #2
How long does it take for the sound to travel through the 500m of water? What's the speed of sound in granite?
 

What is the speed of sound in water?

The speed of sound in water varies depending on several factors, such as temperature, salinity, and depth. On average, the speed of sound in seawater is around 1,500 meters per second, which is about four times faster than the speed of sound in air.

How does the speed of sound in water compare to the speed of sound in air?

The speed of sound in water is much faster than the speed of sound in air. This is because water is a denser medium, allowing sound waves to travel more quickly and efficiently. In fact, sound travels over four times faster in water than in air.

What factors affect the speed of sound in water?

The speed of sound in water can be affected by several factors, including temperature, salinity, and depth. As water temperature increases, the speed of sound also increases. Similarly, higher levels of salinity can also increase the speed of sound. In general, the speed of sound in water increases with increasing depth.

Why is the speed of sound in water important to study?

The speed of sound in water is important to study because it has various practical applications, such as in underwater navigation and communication. Understanding the speed of sound in water can also help with ocean research and exploration, as sound waves are often used to gather information about the ocean environment.

Can the speed of sound in water be measured?

Yes, the speed of sound in water can be measured using specialized equipment, such as a sonar system. This equipment sends out sound waves and measures the time it takes for the waves to bounce back, allowing for the calculation of the speed of sound in water. Scientists also use mathematical models to estimate the speed of sound in different water conditions.

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