The Physics Classroom » Calculator Pad » Vibrations and Waves » Audio Help » Set WM5, Q6

Waves, Sound, and Light: Wave Basics

Wave Basics: Audio Guided Solution

Problem Set WM5, Question 6:

Late at night along the Mississippi River, a tugboat sounds its foghorn. The sound of the horn is heard as an echo 2.87 seconds later. If the sound travels at a speed of 343 m/s, then what is the distance from the tugboat to the reflecting surface?
 





 

Audio Guided Solution




Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

  • Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
  • Identify the known and unknown quantities and record in an organized manner, often times they can be recorded on the diagram itself. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity (e.g., v = 12.8 m/s, λ = 4.52 m, f = ???).
  • Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
  • Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
  • Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.


Read About It!

Get more information on the topic of Waves at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.