Calculating Speed of Sound in Water Given Torpedo Impact Data

In summary, the problem is asking for the speed of sound in water given the speed of a torpedo (20.00 m/s) and the distance it traveled (2000.0 m) before exploding. Since the sound of the impact is heard 101.4 s after the torpedo was fired, the speed of sound can be calculated by dividing the distance traveled by the time it took for the sound to reach the listener, resulting in a speed of 1.014 m/s. However, this approach may be incorrect and a better approach would be to use the given information of distance and time for the sound to travel to determine the speed of sound in water.
  • #1
skybird
1
0

Homework Statement


A torpedo fired from a submerged submarine is propelled through the water with a speed of 20.00 m/s and explodes upon impact with a target 2000.0 m away. If the sound of the impact is heard 101.4 s after the torpedo was fired, what is the speed of sound in water? (torpedo is held at a constant speed by propeller)


Homework Equations


speed=d/t


The Attempt at a Solution


I started by reading through the question and thought, if the torpedo travels 20 m/s, and it went 2000 m, then it would be traveling the length in 100 seconds. From there i thought that since it takes 101.4 s for the sound to reach the listener, I could divide 100 by 101.4, concluding that the speed of sound was 1.014 m/s. I think i am completely wrong in how to solve this problem. Please help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
If you divide 100 seconds by 101.4 seconds, what are the units of the quotient?

Now, you know how far the sound travels and how long it takes to travel. Don't you think that's a better approach?
 

What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Speed is the rate at which an object moves, while velocity is the speed of an object in a specific direction. In other words, velocity takes into account the direction of the object's motion, while speed does not.

How is velocity calculated?

Velocity is calculated by dividing the change in an object's position by the change in time. This is represented by the equation v = (xf - xi) / (tf - ti), where v is velocity, xf is the final position, xi is the initial position, tf is the final time, and ti is the initial time.

What is the difference between average velocity and instantaneous velocity?

Average velocity is the total displacement of an object over a certain period of time, while instantaneous velocity is the velocity of an object at any given moment in time. Average velocity is calculated by dividing the total displacement by the total time, while instantaneous velocity is calculated by taking the derivative of an object's position with respect to time.

How does acceleration affect an object's speed and velocity?

Acceleration is the rate at which an object's velocity changes over time. If an object is experiencing constant acceleration, its speed will increase or decrease at a constant rate. However, if an object is experiencing changing acceleration, its velocity will change at a changing rate.

What is the relationship between distance, speed, velocity, and time?

Distance is the total length of the path traveled by an object, while speed is the rate at which an object moves along that path. Velocity takes into account the direction of an object's motion. Time is the duration of the motion. The relationship between these variables is represented by the equation d = v * t, where d is distance, v is speed or velocity, and t is time.

Similar threads

Solving for Time to Reach Ground: Calculating Velocity of Sound over 50m
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
860
I Speed of Sound & Light: Is it True?
    • Special and General Relativity
Replies
1
Views
637
Frequency of Reflected Underwater Sound Wave
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
Measuring the Speed of Sound in Water, Using Faraday's Law
    • General Engineering
Replies
14
Views
2K
What is the impact speed of the proton in a 4850V capacitor?
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
4K
Submarine Torpedo Momentum Question: Solving for Velocity Change
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
1K
Speed of bowling ball involving speed of sound
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
4K
Speed of Sound using a Resonant tube
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
12
Views
3K
Submarine Fires Torpedo, Submarine's Recoil?
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
16
Views
6K
Finding Distance with given 2 speeds and a time
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top