To calculate the distance to the object, we use the formula:

$\text{Distance to the object} = \frac{\text{Total distance traveled by sound}}{2}$

The total distance traveled by the sound is given by:

$\text{Total distance} = \text{speed of sound} \times \text{time}$

Given:

• Speed of sound, $v = 1540 \, \text{m/s}$
• Time for the echo to return, $t = 0.6 \, \text{s}$

Step 1: Calculate the total distance traveled by sound

$\text{Total distance} = 1540 \, \text{m/s} \times 0.6 \, \text{s} = 924 \, \text{m}$

Step 2: Calculate the one-way distance

Since the sound wave travels to the object and back, we divide the total distance by 2: $\text{Distance to the object} = \frac{924}{2} = 462 \, \text{m}$

Final Answer:

The distance to the object is 462 m.

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Related Questions:

1. How is the speed of sound affected by water temperature?
2. What factors can alter the accuracy of sonar measurements in real-world scenarios?
3. How does sonar differ from radar in terms of propagation speed?
4. What applications rely on sonar technology for distance measurement?
5. How do salinity and pressure influence the speed of sound in seawater?

Tip:

Always account for environmental variables like temperature, salinity, and pressure, as they significantly affect sound speed in water.