Applications of ultrasonics (SONAR, medical imaging)
Sound waves · Physics
Transverse wave
Interactive 3DA travelling wave ribbon. Raise the amplitude to make it taller, the frequency to make it faster.
Controls
Drag the sliders or type a value — the simulation updates live.
m
0.1m1m
Hz
0.5Hz3Hz
Study notes
Suppose a sonar on a boat sends out a sound pulse. The echo returns after 0.4 seconds. The speed of sound in water is 1500 m/s. 1. Multiply the echo time by the speed of sound: 0.4 s × 1500 m/s = 600 m. 2. Divide by 2 to get the one‑way distance: 600 m ÷ 2 = 300 m. So the object (maybe a fish) is 300 meters away from the boat.