Mapping the Ocean Floor
After doing the Exploring the Ocean Worksheet, we learned how marine geologists measure the depth of the ocean floor. Sound is sent from a ship’s transmitter to the ocean bottom at an angle. The sound bounces back to the ship at the same angle and is picked up by a receiver. The speed of sound in sea water is about 1,507 meters per second.
By using this information and applying a formula, ocean depth can be measured
and mapped.. The formula for (D= Vx1/2 T, D being time, V being the speed of sound in water, 1,507 meters per second and T for time). We used this formula to input the data onto a sheet. We were given the seconds it took for the sonar to bounce off the ocean floor and come back to the ship's sensors, and the distance to the shore. Here is my data sheet (below) which I then graphed (above). Very Cool Project!
By using this information and applying a formula, ocean depth can be measured
and mapped.. The formula for (D= Vx1/2 T, D being time, V being the speed of sound in water, 1,507 meters per second and T for time). We used this formula to input the data onto a sheet. We were given the seconds it took for the sonar to bounce off the ocean floor and come back to the ship's sensors, and the distance to the shore. Here is my data sheet (below) which I then graphed (above). Very Cool Project!