Ask Physics Expert

The motion detector we used in class measures distance to the nearest object by using a speaker and a microphone. The speaker clicks 30 times a second. The microphone detects the sound bouncing back from the nearest object in front of it. The computer calculates the time delay between the making of the sound and receiving the echo. It knows the speed of sound (about 343 m/s at room temperature) and from that, it can calculate the distance to the object from the time delay.  

  1. If the nearest object in front of the detector is too far away, the echo will not get back before a second click is emitted. Once that happens, the computer has no way of knowing that the echo isn't an echo from the second click and the detector doesn't give correct results anymore. How far away does the object have to be before that happens? (Give your answer to three significant figures.) Explain your answer.
  2. The speed of sound changes a little bit with temperature. Let's try  to get an idea of how important this is. At room temperature (72°F) the  speed of sound is about 343 m/s. At 62°F it is about 1% smaller.   
     Suppose we are measuring an object that is really 1.5 meters away at  72°F. What is the time delay Δt that the computer detects before the  echo returns?        Explain your answer.

    Now suppose the temperature is 62°F. If the computer detects a time  delay of Δt but (because it doesn't know the temperature) calculates the  distance using the speed of sound appropriate for 72°F, how far away  would the computer report the object is? (Give your answer to 3  significant figures.) Explain your answer.

Physics, Academics

  • Category:- Physics
  • Reference No.:- M91403406

Have any Question?


Related Questions in Physics

Question oppositely charged parallel plates are separated

Question: Oppositely charged parallel plates are separated by 5.31 mm. A potential difference of 600 V exists between the plates. (a) What is the magnitude of the electric field between the plates? N/C (b) What is the ma ...

Question an object of mass m attached to a spring of force

Question: An object of mass m attached to a spring of force constant k oscillates with simple harmonic motion. The maximum displacement from equilibrium is A and the total mechanical energy of the system is E. What is th ...

Quesion when a nucleus of 235u undergoes fission it breaks

Quesion: When a nucleus of 235U undergoes fission, it breaks into two smaller, more tightly bound fragments. Part A: Calculate the binding energy per nucleon for 235U. Express your answer with the appropriate units. E=__ ...

Question a nylon rope used by mountaineers elongates 130 m

Question: A nylon rope used by mountaineers elongates 1.30 m under the weight of a 65.0-kg climber. If the rope is 45.0 m in length and 7.0 mm in diameter, what is Young's modulus for this material? The response must be ...

Question an object is 30 cm in front of a converging lens

Question: An object is 30 cm in front of a converging lens with a focal length of 10 cm. Use ray tracing to determine the location of the image. What are the image characteristics: (i) upright or inverted, (ii) magnifica ...

Question an object of mass m is traveling on a horizontal

Question: An object of mass m is traveling on a horizontal surface. There is a coefficient of kinetic friction µ between the object and the surface. The object has speed v when it reaches x=0 and encounters a spring. Th ...

Question in one of the classic nuclear physics experiments

Question: In one of the classic nuclear physics experiments at the beginning of the 20th century, an alpha particle was accelerated towards a gold nucleus and its path was substantially deflected by the Coulomb interacti ...

Question an object of mass m is dropped from height h above

Question: An object of mass m is dropped from height h above a planet of mass M and radius R. Find an expression for the object's speed as it hits the ground. Express your answer in terms of the variables m,M,h,R and app ...

Question one type of bb gun uses a spring-driven plunger to

Question: One type of BB gun uses a spring-driven plunger to blow the BB from its barrel. (a) Calculate the force constant of its plunger's spring if you must compress it 0.130 m to drive the 0.0580-kg plunger to a top s ...

Question an object is placed 30 cm to the left of a

Question: An object is placed 30 cm to the left of a converging lens that has a focal length of 15cm. Describe what the resulting image look like (i.e. image distance, magnification, upright or inverted images, real or v ...

  • 4,153,160 Questions Asked
  • 13,132 Experts
  • 2,558,936 Questions Answered

Ask Experts for help!!

Looking for Assignment Help?

Start excelling in your Courses, Get help with Assignment

Write us your full requirement for evaluation and you will receive response within 20 minutes turnaround time.

Ask Now Help with Problems, Get a Best Answer

Why might a bank avoid the use of interest rate swaps even

Why might a bank avoid the use of interest rate swaps, even when the institution is exposed to significant interest rate

Describe the difference between zero coupon bonds and

Describe the difference between zero coupon bonds and coupon bonds. Under what conditions will a coupon bond sell at a p

Compute the present value of an annuity of 880 per year

Compute the present value of an annuity of $ 880 per year for 16 years, given a discount rate of 6 percent per annum. As

Compute the present value of an 1150 payment made in ten

Compute the present value of an $1,150 payment made in ten years when the discount rate is 12 percent. (Do not round int

Compute the present value of an annuity of 699 per year

Compute the present value of an annuity of $ 699 per year for 19 years, given a discount rate of 6 percent per annum. As