Tank position problem based upon sound of fire

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around calculating the speed of a tank based on the sound delay of its gunfire. The speed of sound at 100 degrees Celsius is determined to be 392 meters per second using the formula v=331.4 + 0.606Tc. The key insight is that the tank's speed can be derived from the difference in sound delay between two shots, leading to the conclusion that the tank is traveling at 1/10 the speed of sound. Correcting the temperature to a more realistic value is essential for accurate calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the speed of sound formula: v=331.4 + 0.606Tc
  • Basic principles of sound propagation and time delay
  • Knowledge of unit conversions (meters per second)
  • Familiarity with algebraic manipulation for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of temperature on the speed of sound in different mediums
  • Learn how to apply time delay measurements to calculate velocity in physics problems
  • Explore real-world applications of sound delay in military technology
  • Study the implications of environmental factors on sound propagation
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, military strategists, and anyone interested in acoustics and motion analysis will benefit from this discussion.

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Homework Statement



An approaching tank fires at you and you hear the sound 3 seconds after the muzzle flash. Ten seconds later the same tank fires again and you hear the sound 2 seconds after the flash. The temperature is 100 degrees Celsius. How fast is the tank going? How long until he reaches you.

Homework Equations



v=331.4 + .606Tc that is the speed of sound in air based upon the temperature.
v= wavelength symbol X frequency
These are the only ones i think that could help me but i could be mistaken.

The Attempt at a Solution



So i know the speed of sound in air is 392 meters/sec based upon the equation v=331.4 + .606Tc

v= 331.4 + .606(100)
v= 331.4 + 60.6
v= 392 m/s

I can't figure out where to go from here. to get the other answers thank you for any help
 
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Welcome to PF.

First of all you might want to check the ambient temperature of the terrain, because 100° C is a prodigious life stopping temperature. 100° F maybe?

In any event ...

At the first shot the speed of the bullet lagged the firing by 3 seconds. In 10 seconds later it lagged by 2.

So ...

In 10 seconds the tank covered the distance that sound covered in 3 - 2 = 1 seconds. The rank is traveling then at 1/10 the speed of sound.

Resolve the temperature and you should be on the sunny side of the street.
 

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