This sound distance calculator is a tool used to find the distance sound travels over a specific time period based on the speed of sound in a given medium, typically air.
When you want to know how far away a thunderstorm is based on the time delay between seeing lightning and hearing thunder, you can use this speed of sound distance calculator. Given that sound travels at approximately 343 meters per second (m/s) in air at room temperature, if you see lightning and hear thunder 5 seconds later, the distance can be calculated as follows:
Distance = Time × Speed of SoundSubstituting the values: Distance = 5 seconds × 343 m/s = 1715 meters
The storm is approximately 1715 meters away.
Sound Distance Calculator
| Scenario | Time Delay (s) | Speed of Sound (m/s) | Calculated Distance (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder | 3 | 343 | 1,029 |
| Fireworks | 2.5 | 343 | 857.5 |
| Echo | 1.5 (3 ÷ 2) | 343 | 514.5 |
| Gunshot | 0.8 | 343 | 274.4 |
| Sonar | 0.5 | 1,500 (in water) | 750 |
| Lightning | 5 | 343 | 1,715 |
| Airplane | 10 | 343 | 3,430 |
| Train Whistle | 4 | 343 | 1,372 |
| Fire Alarm | 1.2 | 343 | 411.6 |
| Concert Speaker | 6 | 343 | 2,058 |
| Submarine Sonar | 2 | 1,500 (in water) | 3,000 |
| Jet Engine | 8 | 343 | 2,744 |
| Car Horn | 1.5 | 343 | 514.5 |
| Sports Event | 3.5 | 343 | 1,200.5 |
| Fire Truck Siren | 2.8 | 343 | 960.4 |
Sound Distance Calculation Formula
The formula for calculating sound distance is:
Distance = Speed of Sound × TimeWhere:
- Distance is measured in meters (m) or feet (ft)
- Speed of Sound is typically 343 m/s (1,125 ft/s) in air at 20°C (68°F)
- Time is measured in seconds (s)
When a person claps their hands and the sound reaches you after 3 seconds, the calculation would be:
Distance = 3 seconds × 343 m/s = 1029 metersThis means the person is approximately 1029 meters away.
How do you calculate the distance of sound?
Measure the time delay: Record the time between seeing an event and hearing its sound.
Determine the speed of sound: Consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity.
Apply the formula: Multiply the time delay by the speed of sound.
Let’s walk through an example:
You’re on a boat and hear an echo from a nearby cliff 4 seconds after you shout. To find the distance to the cliff:
- Time delay = 4 seconds ÷ 2 (sound travels to cliff and back)
- Speed of sound in air = 343 m/s
- Distance = 343 m/s × 2 s = 686 meters
The cliff is approximately 686 meters away.
How do you calculate sound delay distance?
Delay = Distance / Speed of SoundWhere:
- Delay is the time in seconds (s).
- Distance is in meters (m).
- Speed of Sound is approximately 343 m/s.
If you want to find out how long it takes sound to travel 500 meters:
- Distance = 500 meters
- Speed of Sound = 343 m/s
Calculating the delay:
Delay = 500 m / 343 m/s ≈ 1.46 secondsIt takes approximately 1.46 seconds for the sound to travel 500 meters.
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