Question

How does a SONAR work? Explain. Mention its uses.

Answer 1

Hint:The full form of SONAR is Sound Navigation and Ranging. SONAR is a device that is basically used to detect objects and to determine their distance from it. It works on the principle of reflection of sound waves.

Complete answer:
Let us first understand what a SONAR is.
The full form of SONAR is Sound Navigation and Ranging. It is a device that is basically used to detect objects and to determine their distance from it. A SONAR works on the principle of reflection of sound waves. We all know that when a sound wave strikes or falls on an obstacle it reflects with the same speed. SONAR uses ultrasound waves. It consists of a transmitter, which sends or emits the ultrasound waves in the direction of the obstacle.

The waves reflect at the surface of the obstacle and the reflected waves are received by a receiver in the SONAR.Then the received waves are converted into electrical signals and interpreted by the device. The time after which the waves are received is noted and the speed of the sound is already known. With these two parameters the distance of the obstacle is measured.

Let us now discuss the uses of SONAR.
-We already know one use of a SONAR and that is to measure the distance of obstacles. A SONAR is used in submarines to detect and locate the positions of different obstacles underwater.
-SONAR is also used for medical purposes. It is used to detect cysts and cancer cells. This method is called sonography.
-It is also used by the military to detect enemy vessels.

Note:When the sound wave emitted by a source is heard or received by the source after reflection of the wave, the reflected wave is called as an echo.Therefore, sometimes it is said that a SONAR works on the principle of formation of echoes.