How Fast Does Sound Travel Through Water and Granite?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the speed of sound in water and granite, specifically in the context of oil exploration. The speed of sound in water is established at 1480 m/s, and the echo from an explosion is detected 0.94 seconds later, indicating a travel distance of 695.6 meters. However, the correct depth to reach the oil beneath the granite basin is 760 meters, which includes the 500 meters of water and the additional depth in granite. The speed of sound in granite is not provided but is crucial for accurate calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of sound wave propagation in different mediums
  • Basic knowledge of physics related to speed, distance, and time calculations
  • Familiarity with geological concepts related to oil exploration
  • Knowledge of acoustic methods used in geophysical surveys
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the speed of sound in granite, typically around 6000 m/s
  • Learn about acoustic wave propagation in various geological materials
  • Explore methods used in seismic surveying for oil exploration
  • Investigate the principles of echo sounding and its applications in geology
USEFUL FOR

Geologists, oil exploration engineers, and physics students interested in the application of sound wave propagation in geological surveys.

bigsaucy
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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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How long does it take for the sound to travel through the 500m of water? What's the speed of sound in granite?
 

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