All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Sonar is a device that uses ultrasonic waves to measure the distance, direction and speed of objects ______.

This question was previously asked in
RRB NTPC 2019 CBT 1 Question Paper (8-Mar-2021) (Shift 2)
The correct answer is
underwater

Sonar Application Explanation

Sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging) is a technology that employs sound propagation and reverberation, typically using ultrasonic waves, to navigate, communicate with or detect objects on or under the surface of the water.

Primary Use Case: Underwater Environments

The core principle of Sonar involves emitting sound pulses and interpreting the echoes that return after bouncing off objects. This method is most effective and widely applied:

  • Underwater: Sonar is primarily used underwater to map the seabed, locate submerged objects (like submarines, shipwrecks, or schools of fish), and measure water depth. Sound travels efficiently through water, making it an ideal medium for Sonar.

Exclusion of Other Environments

While sound waves exist in other mediums, Sonar's specific application differs:

  • Land: Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) or seismic surveys are typically used for detecting objects below the ground surface.
  • Air: Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) uses radio waves, while technologies like lidar use light, for detection and ranging in the air.
  • Space: Radio waves, optical telescopes, and other advanced sensors are used for detection and ranging in space.

Therefore, Sonar's function of measuring distance, direction, and speed using ultrasonic waves is predominantly applied underwater.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. Which of the following is NOT a Colour created from a combination of two primary Colours?
  2. Pushkar Mela is held in Pushkar. Which district does it come under?
  3. The phenomenon of 'dispersion of light' into its seven constituent colours was discovered by ______ in 1666.
  4. Who was the first person to obtain a spectrum by passing light through a prism?
  5. At which temperature is the density of water maximum?
  6. Which of the following equipment is used to transform chemical energy into electrical energy?
  7. For humans, the audible waves are those that:
  8. Which of the following is NOT an example of the heating effect of current?
  9. Which of the following units is used to measure the intensity of sound?
  10. What is the science or art of designing and accelerating projectiles so as to achieve a desired performance called?

Important Questions from Physics

  1. What is the colour of the light emitted by the Sun?

  2. Lightning occur in the sky when two clouds:

  3. With reference to street-lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps?

    1. Sodium lamps produce light in 360 degrees but it is not so in the case of LED lamps.

    2. As street lights, sodium lamps have a longer life span than LED lamps.

    3. The spectrum of visible light from sodium lamps is almost monochromatic while LED lamps offer significant colour advantages in street lighting.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.  

  4. Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years?

  5. In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the following?

    1. Area of the hole in the lid

    2. Temperature of the flame

    3. Weight of the lid

    Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
RRB Technician
October 06, 2026
RRB JE
October 27, 2026
RRB ALP
November 03, 2026
Test Series
RRB NTPC img
Railways
RRB NTPC Under Graduate 2026 New Mock Test Series
1580 Tests 2 Tests Free
544 Attempts
4.3(498)
English, Hindi, Telugu +7 More

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App