sonar
- Noun:
- A measuring instrument that sends out an acoustic pulse in water and measures distances based on the time for the echo to return: "Sonar" is a device used to detect and locate objects underwater by emitting sound waves and analyzing their reflections.
- The technology or system based on this principle: "Sonar" can also refer to the general method or technique of underwater detection and navigation using sound.
- Noun:
- The submarine used its sonar to navigate safely through the dark depths.
- Marine biologists use sonar to map the ocean floor and study whale migrations.
- The ship's sonar detected an object several hundred meters below.
"Active sonar": A type of sonar that emits a pulse of sound (a "ping") and listens for its echo. It is used for precise detection but can reveal the user's location.
- The navy vessel used active sonar to search for the wreckage.
"Passive sonar": A type of sonar that only listens for sounds made by other objects, such as ship propellers or marine life. It is used for stealthy detection.
- The submarine relied on passive sonar to avoid detection while monitoring enemy ships.
ASDIC (noun): An older term, primarily British, for sonar technology used in anti-submarine warfare. It is an acronym for "Anti-Submarine Detection Investigation Committee."
- The historical documentary explained the development of ASDIC during World War II.
Echolocation (noun): The biological process used by animals like bats and dolphins to navigate and hunt by emitting sounds and interpreting the echoes. It is the natural counterpart to sonar.
- Dolphins' echolocation is remarkably similar to the principle of man-made sonar.
- Echo sounder: A device for determining water depth by measuring the time of an echo.
- Sound navigation and ranging: The full phrase from which the acronym "sonar" is derived.
Sonar buoy (noun phrase): A floating buoy equipped with sonar, often deployed from aircraft to detect submarines.
- The patrol plane dropped a sonar buoy to listen for submarine activity.
Sonar image (noun phrase): A visual representation, like a map or scan, created from processed sonar data.
- The sonar image revealed the detailed shape of the sunken ship.
- Acronym: The word "sonar" is an acronym for Sound Navigation and Ranging. This origin is key to understanding its function.
- Primary Context: While most associated with naval and marine applications, sonar technology is also used in fishing, underwater research, and even some medical imaging techniques.
- a measuring instrument that sends out an acoustic pulse in water and measures distances in terms of the time for the echo of the pulse to return
- sonar is an acronym for sound navigation ranging
- asdic is an acronym for antisubmarine detection investigation committee