Submarine sonar doppler problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving a submarine sonar Doppler problem involving a stationary destroyer emitting sonar pulses at 49.0 MHz and receiving reflected pulses at 48.966 MHz. The speed of sound in seawater is given as 1.58 km/s, and the time delay for the sonar pulse is 60.0 ms. The calculated depth of the submarine is 47.4 meters, derived from the equation d = rt, while the vertical speed of the submarine requires further analysis using the Doppler effect formula, which was initially miscalculated as 1.096 m/s.

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  • Understanding of sonar principles and wave propagation
  • Familiarity with the Doppler effect in sound waves
  • Knowledge of basic physics equations related to distance, speed, and time
  • Ability to perform calculations involving frequency and speed of sound in seawater
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  • Study the Doppler effect in detail, focusing on sound waves
  • Learn how to apply the formula fL = fS(Vs + VL)/(Vs + VSource) for moving sources
  • Research the impact of rounding and significant figures in scientific calculations
  • Explore practical applications of sonar technology in marine environments
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on wave mechanics and sonar technology, as well as professionals in marine engineering and underwater acoustics.

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Homework Statement



A stationary destroyer is equipped with sonar that sends out pulses of sound at 49.0 MHz. Reflected pulses are received from a submarine directly below with a time delay of 60.0 ms at a frequency of 48.966 MHz. If the speed of sound in seawater is 1.58 km/s, what is the depth of the submarine? What is the magnitude of the submarine's vertical speed?

r or Vs = 1.58 km/s
t = .06s

Homework Equations



d = rt
fL = fS(Vs + VL)/(Vs + VSource)

The Attempt at a Solution



I found the first part simply by using d = rt. And because that is the distance of the sonar wave to the submarine and back to the destroyer I divided the answer by 2 and got the answer of 47.4 meters.

For the second part, I am fairly certain this is doppler problem and when I solved for VL I got the answer of 1.096 m/s which was wrong. Any hints for how to go about solving for the vertical velocity of the submarine?
 
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I got the same answer. I see only 3 digit accuracy in the given speed of sound; answer should be rounded. Perhaps you need to round it off to 1.1 to get it correct. The accuracy of the frequency is in question. 49.0 suggests 3 digits but 2 of these are lost in subtraction so if 49.0 is properly stated there is no more than 1 digit accuracy.
 

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