What is SONAR?

The acronym “SONAR” stands

for Sound Navigation And
Ranging. Sonar is a device that
uses ultrasonic waves to measure
the distance, direction and speed
of underwater objects
 TYPES OF SONAR
Active Sonar
active sonar means emitting pulses of sounds
and listening for echoes.
Passive Sonar

passive sonar means listening for the

Sound made by vessels
 ACTIVE SONAR: WHAT
IS IT?
Active sonar is the most effective
means available for locating objects
underwater. Active sonar sends out a
pulse of energy that travels through
water, reflects off of an object, and
returns to a receiver. Active sonar has
the ability to locate objects that are
too quiet to be detected using passive
sonar technology.
 PASSIVE
SONAR: WHAT
IS IT?
Passive sonar uses specialized
transducers called hydrophones (or
underwater microphones) to listen to
sounds in the ocean. These hydrophones
convert received sounds into electrical
signals that are then sent to a computer
for a sonar operator to look at, listen to,
and analyze.
HOW DOES

WORK?
TRANSMITTER
PRODUCES
ULTRASONIC
WAVES. WAVWS
TRAVEL THROUGH
WATER AND HIT
TARGET/SEABED.
WAVES REFLECT BACK
AND ARE DETECTED BY
DETECTOR.
DETECTOR CONVERTS
INTO ELECTRIC SIGNALS
FOR INTERPRETING
 Underwater Exploration:
• Sonar is like an underwater map-maker. It sends
out sound waves, listens to their echoes, and
helps scientists create detailed maps of the
ocean floor. It's like making a 3D map of what's
beneath the waves.

OTHER USES OF And there's another cool use:

SONAR: Environmental Monitoring:

• Scientists use sonar to keep an eye on the health
of the ocean. They study the underwater world
to track changes, spot pollution, and understand
how human activities affect sea life. It's a way
to protect marine creatures for the future.
So, sonar isn't just about exploring—it's about
learning and looking out for our underwater
environment.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

A ship sends out ultrasound that returns from the seabed and is detected after 3.42
seconds. If the speed of ultrasound through water is 1531 m/s, what is the distance
of the seabed from the ship?

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY