Like all waves, sound waves can be reflected. Sound waves suffer reflection from the large obstacles. As a result of reflection of sound wave from a large obstacle, the sound is heard which is named as an echo. Ordinarily echo is not heard as the reflected sound gets merged with the original sound. Certain conditions have to be satisfied to hear an echo distinctly (as a separate sound).
The sensation of any sound persists in our ear for about 0.1 seconds. This is known as the persistence of hearing. If the echo is heard within this time interval, the original sound and its echo cannot be distinguished. So the most important condition for hearing an echo is that the reflected sound should reach the ear only after a lapse of at least 0.1 second after the original sound dies off. As the speed of sound is 340 m/s, the distance travelled by sound in 0.1 second is 34 m. This is twice the minimum distance between a source of sound and the reflector. So, if the obstacle is at a distance of 17 m at least, the reflected sound or the echo is heard after 0.1 second, distinctly.
Further, for reflection of any wave to take place, the size of the reflector should be large compared to the wavelength of the sound, which for ordinary sound is of the order of 1 metre. A large building, a mountain side, large rock formation etc. are good reflectors of sound for producing an echo. Also, for the reflected sound to be heard, it must have enough intensity or loudness. Moreover, if the echo is to be distinguished from the original sound the two should not mix or overlap. For this, the original sound should be of very short duration, like a clap or shout.
So, following conditions could be listed for formation of echo:
The size of the obstacle/reflector must be large compared to the wavelength of the incident sound (for reflection of sound to take place).
The distance between the source of sound and the reflector should be at least 17 m (so that the echo is heard distinctly after the original sound is over).
The intensity or loudness of the sound should be sufficient for the reflected sound reaching the ear to be audible. The original sound should be of short duration.
The sensation of any sound persists in our ear for about 0.1 seconds. This is known as the persistence of hearing. If the echo is heard within this time interval, the original sound and its echo cannot be distinguished. So the most important condition for hearing an echo is that the reflected sound should reach the ear only after a lapse of at least 0.1 second after the original sound dies off. As the speed of sound is 340 m/s, the distance travelled by sound in 0.1 second is 34 m. This is twice the minimum distance between a source of sound and the reflector. So, if the obstacle is at a distance of 17 m at least, the reflected sound or the echo is heard after 0.1 second, distinctly.Further, for reflection of any wave to take place, the size of the reflector should be large compared to the wavelength of the sound, which for ordinary sound is of the order of 1 metre. A large building, a mountain side, large rock formation etc. are good reflectors of sound for producing an echo. Also, for the reflected sound to be heard, it must have enough intensity or loudness. Moreover, if the echo is to be distinguished from the original sound the two should not mix or overlap. For this, the original sound should be of very short duration, like a clap or shout.
So, following conditions could be listed for formation of echo:
The size of the obstacle/reflector must be large compared to the wavelength of the incident sound (for reflection of sound to take place).
The distance between the source of sound and the reflector should be at least 17 m (so that the echo is heard distinctly after the original sound is over).
The intensity or loudness of the sound should be sufficient for the reflected sound reaching the ear to be audible. The original sound should be of short duration.
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