I i dont even know where to start o_O

[vincikai]

i need help! i don't even know where to start

One way to monitor global warming is to measure the average temperature of the ocean. Researchers are doing this by measuring the time it takes sound pulses to travel underwater over large distances. At a depth of 1000 m, where ocean temperatures hold steady near 4C, the average sound speed is . It's known from laboratory measurements that the sound speed increases for every 1.0C increase in temperature. In one experiment, where sounds generated near California are detected in the South Pacific, the sound waves travel 7600 .


If the smallest time change that can be reliably detected is 1.0 s, what is the smallest change in average temperature that can be measured?

 

[Chi Meson]

Is something missing from the question?
like: "The average sound speed is _____."

and: "...the sound speed increases _____ for every 1.0C increase in temperature."

 

[kyle8921]

I understand your concern and the complexity of this topic. To start, it is important to note that monitoring global warming is a multi-faceted process that involves various methods and data sources. One approach is to measure the average temperature of the ocean, which can provide valuable insights into the overall warming trend.

In this particular case, researchers are using sound pulses to measure the average temperature of the ocean. By analyzing the time it takes for the sound waves to travel over large distances, we can estimate the average speed of sound in the ocean. This method relies on the fact that sound speed increases with temperature, and we can use this relationship to calculate the average temperature of the ocean.

In the experiment described, we know that the sound waves travel 7600 km at a depth of 1000 m, where the average temperature is 4C. From laboratory measurements, we also know that the sound speed increases by 4.8 m/s for every 1.0C increase in temperature. Using this information, we can calculate the smallest change in temperature that can be reliably measured.

If the smallest time change that can be reliably detected is 1.0 s, then the smallest change in sound speed that can be measured is 4.8 m/s. Since we know that the sound speed increases by 4.8 m/s for every 1.0C increase in temperature, the smallest change in temperature that can be reliably measured is 1.0C.

In conclusion, while the process of monitoring global warming is complex and requires careful consideration, the use of sound pulses to measure ocean temperature can provide valuable insights. By understanding the relationship between sound speed and temperature, we can determine the smallest change in temperature that can be reliably measured in this method.