If the speed of sound in air is 350 meters per second, how far away is an object if you hear your echo 4 seconds later?

To determine how far away the object is, we need to consider that the echo you hear is the sound traveling to the object and then back to you. Therefore, the time measured (4 seconds) includes both the trip to the object and the return trip to your ears.

Since the speed of sound in air is given as 350 meters per second, we can calculate the total distance the sound travels in 4 seconds using the formula:

Distance = Speed × Time

Plugging in the values, we have:

Distance = 350 meters/second × 4 seconds = 1,400 meters

Since this distance represents the round trip (to the object and back), we need to divide by 2 to find the distance to the object alone:

Distance to the object = 1,400 meters / 2 = 700 meters

Thus, the distance to the object is 700 meters, which aligns with the provided correct answer. This concept of sound traveling to an object and returning as an echo is fundamental in understanding how distances can be calculated using time and speed.