An underwater volcano erupts. A fisherman on a boat at the surface and a diver underwater are each 10 km from the volcano. Which statement correctly describes when they hear the volcano? A. The fisherman will hear the sound first. B. The diver will hear the sound first. C. They will hear the sound at the same time. D. Only the diver will hear the sound.
Biology · High School · Wed Jan 13 2021
Answered on
B. The diver will hear the sound first.
This outcome is because sound travels faster in water than in air. The speed of sound in water is approximately 1482 meters per second, whereas in air it's about 343 meters per second (both speeds can vary due to temperature, salinity, etc., but these are average values). Due to this significant difference, the diver, who is underwater, would hear the eruption sound first since the sound waves would reach them more quickly. The fisherman on the boat is above the water's surface and the sound has to travel through the air to reach him, which would take longer because of the slower speed of sound in air.