The Challenger Deep has previously been measured to have a depth of 10,994 meters.You have been sent to the part of the Pacific Ocean to verify this depth with an echo sounder.Assuming that Depth = 1/2 (1,500 m/sec*echo travel time), approximately how many seconds should it take for the sound wave to leave your ship, strike the bottom of the Challenger Deep, and return if the depth is correct?
A)10.5 seconds
B)14.66 seconds
C)17.39 seconds
D)22.67 seconds

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Using the formula Depth = 1/2 (1,500 m/sec*echo travel time), we can rearrange it to solve for the echo travel time: 
echo travel time = Depth / (1/2*1,500 m/sec)
Plugging in the given depth of 10,994 meters: 
echo travel time = 10,994 m / (1/2*1,500 m/sec) = 14.66 seconds (rounded to two decimal places) 
Therefore, the best choice is B.

The Challenger Deep Has Previously Been Measured to Have a Depth