Physics: Using Sound to Measure Distance The distance to

Chapter 1, Problem 97

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Physics: Using Sound to Measure Distance The distance to the surface of the water in a well can sometimes be found by dropping an object into the well and measuring the time elapsed until a sound is heard. If is the time (measured in seconds) that it takes for the object to strike the water, then will obey the equation where s is the distance (measured in feet).It follows that Suppose that is the time that it takes for the sound of the impact to reach your ears. Because sound waves are known to travel at a speed of approximately 1100 feet per second, the time to travel the distance s will be t See the illustration.Now is the total time that elapses from the moment that the object is dropped to the moment that a sound is heard.We have the equation Find the distance to the waters surface if the total time elapsed from dropping a rock to hearing it hit water is 4 seconds.