Speed of sound/Dectecting insects

  • Thread starter Thread starter FelicitaH
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Insects Speed
AI Thread Summary
Bats can detect insects roughly the size of one wavelength of the sound they emit, which is crucial for understanding their echolocation abilities. When a bat emits a chirp at 59 kHz and the speed of sound is 340 m/s, the smallest detectable insect size can be calculated using the appropriate formula. The user initially struggled to find the correct equation but realized the importance of focusing on the wavelength concept. After some calculations and unit checks, they arrived at a size of approximately 5.763 mm for the smallest insect detectable by the bat. This discussion highlights the simplicity of the problem once the right approach is recognized.
FelicitaH
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
I've looked throughout my book for the formula, and I've looked online to see if there were similar problems so I could figure out how to do this, but I can't find anything.

**
A bat can detect small objects, such as insects, whose size is approx. equal to one wavelength of the sound the bat makes. If bats emit a chirp at a freq. of 59 kHz, and if the speed of sound in air is 340m/s, what is the smallest insect (mm) a bat can detect?

Maybe it's easier than I think. I'm definitely not a physics person. I'm not asking for the answer, just some help in find the right equation :)

Thanks for any help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Well. That's simple. I think the whole time I just wasn't reading "approximately equal to one wavelength.."

So, 340 m/s * 1,000 = 340,000 mm/s / 59 kHz = 5,762.

I've got to be doing something wrong/missing a step.
 
Check the units.
 
Duh. Yes. Thank you!

5.763 :)

I feel stupid. Now that seems like a REALLY simple problem.
 
Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'

Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'

TL;DR Summary: I would like to know the voltmeter readings on the two resistors separately in the picture in the following cases , When one of the keys is closed When both of them are opened (Knowing that the battery has negligible internal resistance) My thoughts for the first case , one of them must be 12 volt while the other is 0 The second case we'll I think both voltmeter readings should be 12 volt since they are both parallel to the battery and they involve the key within what the...
View full post »
Thread 'Correct statement about a reservoir with an outlet pipe'

Thread 'Correct statement about a reservoir with an outlet pipe'

The answer to this question is statements (ii) and (iv) are correct. (i) This is FALSE because the speed of water in the tap is greater than speed at the water surface (ii) I don't even understand this statement. What does the "seal" part have to do with water flowing out? Won't the water still flow out through the tap until the tank is empty whether the reservoir is sealed or not? (iii) In my opinion, this statement would be correct. Increasing the gravitational potential energy of the...
View full post »

Similar threads

A bat and an insect Doppler's Effect problem.
Replies
12
Views
9K
Waves and Sounds - speed of a bat
Replies
1
Views
3K
How Do Size and Movement Direction of Insects Affect Bat Echolocation?
Replies
1
Views
3K
Find difference in echo times, doppler shift?
Replies
4
Views
3K
What is the speed of the bat gaining on its prey in m/s?
Replies
1
Views
9K
Can an Insect's Constant Speed Enable It to Reach the Top of a Pivoting Disk?
Replies
11
Views
3K
Horsehoe Bats, Insects, Speed and the Doppler Effect
Replies
6
Views
13K
Calculating Bat's Velocity Using Doppler Effect
Replies
27
Views
10K
Chirping Bat and Distance to Moth - Sound Waves
Replies
3
Views
4K
What Speed Is the Bat Catching Up to Its Prey?
Replies
1
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top