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 = Distance\over Time

Substituting the values for air, we get,

340 = 1700\over t

⇒ t = 1700\over 340 = 5 s

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

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

1360 = 1700\over t

⇒ t = 1700\over 1360 = 1.25 s