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GCSE Physics · key term
A reflected sound wave that is heard after the original sound.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.6.1.2, 4.6.1.5 · Paper 2
Revise: Measuring Wave Speed & Required Practical 8A sharp sound made near a large, flat wall travels to the wall and reflects back as an echo.
A reflected sound wave that returns to a detector.
Specification 4.8P · Paper 1
A reflected sound wave that returns to the place where the sound was produced.
Revise: Depth CalculationEcho sounding sends a sound pulse down through water. The pulse reflects from the seabed and returns to a receiver near the source. The measured time includes both the journey down and the journey back.
Specification P5.1j · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
A reflected sound wave heard after the original sound.
Revise: Measuring wavesAn echo provides a measurable journey: a short sound travels to a large wall and reflects back.
For an echo, sound travels to the wall and back: use twice the measured distance to the wall.
For an echo calculation, use the time from sending the pulse to receiving it: the wave travels to the boundary and back, so divide the total distance by two.
For industrial testing, an echo from a crack arrives before the echo from the far side of the object.
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