Why is sonar a more accurate way of mapping the ocean floor than weighted lines?
sonar (coupled with computer enhancement) can actually give a picture
of the ocean floor
weighted lines give a collection of data points, so bottom contours and other features are not necessarily revealed
... the lines are also subject to currents, creating possible errors
A sonar is more accurate when it comes to the way of mapping the ocean floor than weighted lines because, a sonar has a ‘ping’ that travels through the water and bounces off the sea base, which then succeeds once the transducer picks up the reflected sound of the ‘ping’. Weighted lines are less accurate because they give data points, so bottom contour and different features needed aren’t given which can give possible errors.
Thx very much.😊
Sonar is a more accurate way of mapping the ocean floor than weighted lines because it utilizes sound waves to measure the distance between the surface of the water and the ocean floor. This method is known as bathymetric mapping. Here's how it works:
1. Sonar technology: Sonar stands for "Sound Navigation And Ranging." It uses sound waves to measure the distance and shape of objects underwater. A sonar device consists of two main components: a transmitter and a receiver.
2. Sound waves: When the sonar device transmits sound waves into the water, these waves travel through the water and bounce off the ocean floor or any other objects they encounter.
3. Echoes: When the sound waves bounce back, they are detected by the sonar device's receiver. The time it takes for the sound waves to return helps calculate the depth of the ocean floor.
4. Data collection: As the sonar device moves across the water, it continuously emits sound waves and collects data on the depths of the ocean floor. These data points are then used to create detailed maps of the underwater topography.
Now, let's compare sonar to the traditional method of using weighted lines:
1. Weighted lines: In the past, researchers used weighted lines to measure the depth of the ocean. This method involves dropping a line with a heavy weight attached to it into the water and waiting for it to reach the ocean floor. The depth is then determined by measuring the length of the line that was released.
2. Accuracy limitations: Weighted lines are less accurate because they can be affected by factors such as water currents, wind, and human error in measuring the length of the line released. Additionally, they can only provide depth measurements at specific points, making it difficult to create detailed maps of the ocean floor.
In contrast, sonar provides accurate and real-time measurements of the ocean floor by using sound waves to calculate the depth at various points as the sonar device moves through the water. This allows for the creation of highly precise and detailed bathymetric maps of the ocean floor.