A sound is emitted and its echo returns after 1 second. If speed of sound is 343 m/s, what is the distance to the reflecting surface?

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Multiple Choice

A sound is emitted and its echo returns after 1 second. If speed of sound is 343 m/s, what is the distance to the reflecting surface?

Explanation:
When a sound is emitted and an echo is heard, the sound travels to the reflecting surface and back in that time. So the total distance the sound covers is speed × time for the round trip. Here, 343 m/s × 1 s = 343 meters is the round-trip distance. The surface is halfway there, since the journey consists of going out and returning. Half of 343 meters is 171.5 meters. Therefore, the reflecting surface is 171.5 meters away.

When a sound is emitted and an echo is heard, the sound travels to the reflecting surface and back in that time. So the total distance the sound covers is speed × time for the round trip. Here, 343 m/s × 1 s = 343 meters is the round-trip distance. The surface is halfway there, since the journey consists of going out and returning. Half of 343 meters is 171.5 meters. Therefore, the reflecting surface is 171.5 meters away.

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