Explain how sonar radars work in boats
There is NO SUCH thing as a "sonar radar" !!!!!!
radar means RADIO, electromagnetic waves.
you send a signal pulse out and graph how long it takes (how far away) the reflections to get back in various directions
sonar means SOUND
otherwise the same idea but using sound waves, not radio waves, (in the case of a simple fathometer how long to get back from the bottom or a whale under the boat.). There is also "passive sonar" which means just listening in various directions. This gives you bearing (angle) but not distance, but has the advantage that the target does not hear your ping.
By the way, the reason is that radio waves have trouble propagating in the bleak ocean. Sound travels well, particularly low frequency sound. Very long (low frequency) sound waves in what is called the deep sound channel can cross the ocean. That is how the submarine Scorpion was found. Networks of transducers tracking ships by sound heard and plotted the collapse of the pressure hull.
Sure! Sonar (an abbreviation for sound navigation and ranging) is a system used on boats to detect and locate objects underwater. It works by emitting sound waves, commonly called pings, into the water and measuring the time it takes for the sound waves to bounce back.
Here's a step-by-step explanation of how sonar radars work in boats:
1. Emitting sound waves: The sonar radar system on a boat emits a high-frequency sound wave, usually between 20,000 to 200,000 cycles per second, into the water. This is done using a transducer, which converts electrical energy into sound energy.
2. Sound wave propagation: The emitted sound wave travels through the water in a cone shape, known as the sonar beam or sonar cone. The size of the cone depends on the frequency of the sound wave and the properties of the water.
3. Object detection: When the sound wave encounters an object in the water, such as the seabed, rocks, or marine life, it gets reflected back towards the boat.
4. Echo reception: The sonar radar system receives the echoes or reflected sound waves using the same transducer that emitted the initial sound wave. The transducer acts as a receiver, converting the sound energy back into electrical energy.
5. Time measurement: The sonar radar system measures the time it takes for the echo to return to the boat. Since sound travels at a known speed through water (around 1,500 meters per second), the system can calculate the distance to the object by multiplying the time taken by the speed of sound.
6. Display: The calculated distance information is then processed and displayed on a screen, known as a sonar display or fishfinder. This display shows a graphical representation of the underwater environment, including the depth, contour of the seabed, and any objects or fish detected.
By continuously emitting and receiving sound waves, the sonar radar system enables boat operators to navigate safely and avoid underwater obstacles or hazards. It is also commonly used in fishing to locate fish schools and determine the depth at which they are swimming.
I hope this explanation helps you understand how sonar radars work in boats!