Question

A vehicle is fitted with an ultrasonic distance sensor as part of parking assistance system which provides echolocation, while the driver is reversing the vehicle. It emits ultrasonic wave (about 40 kHz) which is reflected by the obstacle. When the warning beep starts sounding at a distance of 1.2 m from the obstacle, how much time is taken by ultrasonic wave to travel to the obstacle and come back? Assume the speed of ultrasonic wave in air to be 345 m/s^-1.

Answer 1

Given:

Distance to the obstacle ($d$) = 1.2 m

Speed of ultrasonic wave in air ($v$) = 345 m/s^-1

Formula:

Since the wave must travel to the obstacle and reflect back, the total distance covered is twice the distance to the obstacle ($2d$).

$$t = \frac{2d}{v}$$

Calculation:

$$t = \frac{2 \times 1.2}{345}$$

$$t = \frac{2.4}{345}$$

$$t \approx 0.00696 \text{ s}$$