What is echolocation?

Acoustic Location

Acoustic location is the art and science of using sound to determine the distance and direction of something. Location can be done actively or passively, and can take place in gases (such as the atmosphere), liquids (such as water), and in solids (such as in the earth).

• Active acoustic location involves the creation of sound in order to produce an echo, which is then analysed to determine the location of the object in question.

• Passive acoustic location involves the detection of sound or vibration created by the object being detected, which is then analysed to determine the location of the object in question.

Both of these techniques, when used in water, are known as sonar; passive sonar and active sonar are both widely used.

Acoustic mirrors and dishes, when using microphones, are a means of passive acoustic localisation, but when using speakers are a means of active localisation. Typically, more than one device is used, and the location is then triangulated between the several devices.

Acoustic location in air was used from mid-WWI to the early years of WWII for the passive detection of aircraft by picking up the noise of the engines. It was rendered obsolete before and during WWII by the introduction of radar, which was far more effective but interceptable. Acoustics has the advantage that it can see round corners and over hills.

First answer by ID3707089542. Last edit by ID3707089542. Question popularity: 23 [recommend question]