Distance from Flash: Soldier 20°C, 6 secs After Cannon Fire

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the distance from a soldier to a cannon flash based on the time it takes for sound to travel. The soldier hears the cannon fire 6 seconds after seeing the flash, with the speed of sound at 20 degrees Celsius being 342 m/s. Using the formula D = R * T, the distance can be calculated as D = 342 m/s * 6 s, resulting in a distance of 2052 meters. The impact of light travel time is negligible in this scenario.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the speed of sound at various temperatures
  • Familiarity with basic physics formulas, specifically D = R * T
  • Knowledge of the difference between the speed of light and the speed of sound
  • Basic arithmetic skills for distance calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the speed of sound variations at different temperatures
  • Explore the implications of light travel time in physics problems
  • Learn about the physics of sound propagation in different mediums
  • Investigate real-world applications of sound distance calculations in military contexts
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching sound propagation, and military personnel involved in ballistics and distance estimation.

demode
Messages
30
Reaction score
0
1. A soldier hears the sound of the firing of a distant cannon 6.00 seconds after seeing the flash. If the temperature is 20 degrees Celsius, how far is the soldier from the flash?



2. D = R * T



3. Since the speed of sound at 0 degrees Celsius is 330 m/s, the speed of sound at 20 degrees Celsius is 342 m/s.
With that being said, how do you find the distance? D = 342 * 6 ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Can anyone give me some insight?
 
Why are you unsure of your approach?
 
The only thing that could make this hard is if you wanted to take light into account. It takes some time for light to reach the soldier first, but its almost instant and makes no significant difference
 

Similar threads

Solving the Frequency of Sound Waves at 20°C
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
How long would it take a sound wave to travel 150m
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Audio interference of sound waves from two speakers
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K
What is the distance to the target?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Wavelength of the sounds at zero degrees
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
Sound Wave Interference and Finding the Path Differences with Diagrams
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
What Is the Reflection Distance and SPL of Sound in an Auditorium?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Speed of sound minimum distance problem
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Sound Interference Problem -- Observer moving between two speakers
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Sound Waves in Different Mediums
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K