Assuming the speed of sound in air equal to 340 m s^-1 and in water equal to 1360 m s^-1 , find the time taken to travel a distance 1700 m by sound in (i) air and (ii) water.

(a) Given,

Speed of sound in air (V_a) = 340 m s^-1

Speed of sound in water (V_w) = 1360 m s^-1

Distance (d) = 1700 m

t = ?

V = $\dfrac{\text{Distance (d)}}{\text {Time (t)}}$

Substituting the values for air, we get,

$340 = \dfrac{1700}{t} \\[0.5em] \Rightarrow t = \dfrac{1700}{340} \\[0.5em] \Rightarrow t = 5 \text { s} \\[0.5em]$

Therefore, the time taken by sound to travel in air = 5 s

(ii) Substituting the values for water, we get,

$1360 = \dfrac{1700}{t} \\[0.5em] \Rightarrow t = \dfrac{1700}{1360} \\[0.5em] \Rightarrow t = 1.25 \text { s} \\[0.5em]$

Therefore, the time taken by sound to travel in air = 1.25 s