Rock Face Distance Calculation Explanation

What is the formula to calculate the distance to an underwater rock face using submarine sonar system data?

Do you know how to determine the distance between a submarine and an underwater rock face using sonar system data?

Distance Calculation

To determine the distance to the rock face, we can use the formula:

Distance = (Speed of Sound × Time) / 2

When using a submarine sonar system, the calculation of the distance to an underwater rock face involves the speed of sound and the time it takes for the sound wave to travel to the rock face and back.

The formula mentioned above takes into account the fact that the sound wave travels to the rock face and then returns to the submarine, so the total distance is divided by 2 to get the direct distance from the submarine to the rock face.

In the example given earlier, the speed of sound in water is approximately 1,484 m/s, and the total time taken for the sound wave to bounce off the rock face and return is 7.80 seconds. By plugging these values into the formula, we can calculate the distance accurately.

Understanding how to calculate the distance using these parameters is crucial for submarines to navigate safely underwater and avoid collisions with obstacles such as rock faces.