Calculating the Width of a Valley Using Echo Time Delay

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To calculate the width of a valley using echo time delay, the speed of sound is crucial, which is approximately 340 meters per second. The rifle's echo from one wall is heard 2.0 seconds after firing, with the second echo heard 2.0 seconds later, indicating a total time of 4.0 seconds for the sound to travel to both walls. The time for sound to cross the valley is half of this total time, or 2.0 seconds. By applying the speed of sound, the width of the valley can be determined as the distance sound travels in 2.0 seconds, which is 680 meters. Drawing a diagram of the sound waves can help visualize the problem and avoid errors.
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Homework Statement



"A rifle is fired in a valley with parallel vertical walls. The echo from one wall is heard 2.0 s after the rifle was fired. The echo from the other wall is heard 2.0 s after the first echo. How wide is the valley?

Homework Equations



I don't know any relevant equations. v=wavelength x frequency? Do I have to convert something into decibels?

The Attempt at a Solution



time=2 s
distance=?
.
 
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No nothing that cpplex--just that the speed of sound is 340meters/sec. Hint: to avoid simple errors, draw a picture of the reflecting sound waves so as to include all the distances.
 
But I don't understand how you apply the speed of sound to the problem. Do you multiply it by 2?.
 
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know leave the speed alone and as i suggested draw a diagram. In this case, try to isolate the time requires for sound to span the valley. Hint its 1/2 the sum...
 
alright pugfug, I told you I unclicked the "Automatically parse links in text" and that's why the link wasnt clickable anymore. And now everytime I post I unclick it so it doesn't come up as a link. Do you understand that? I don't get why I can't post here if the link isn't even clickable, what's the harm?

Thanks Denverdoc I'll try that.
 
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