how do depth finders work?

Answer 1

Hi Missdepe -

Waoc2000 is correct.

I would only add that the "signal" transmitted is usualy an audio, or "sound" wave.

Radar works the same way but transmits an electromagnetic (radio) wave.

The trick in building accurate depth finders is that the transmission speed of the sound wave in water is dependent on the water temperature, which varies with depth, often having sharp temperature changes in small distances, caused by different water "layers".

So often the accuracy is off by a few feet per hundred feet of the depth being measured!

Good question!

CQ

Answer 2

Like the radar a bat has. It sends out a sonar and measures the time it takes to bounce back giving it the depth. They are really quite a clever piece of technology!

Answer 3

The principle is similar to radar but uses sound waves called 'Sonar' (SOund NAvigation Ranging)
The time it takes for a sound wave to travel to the sea bottom and back again is measured by the instrument and divided by 2.
A similar instrument using 'Ultra-sound'' is used to measure the thickness of metal pipes when checking for corrosion rates.

Answer 4

i believe its just sonar technology which uses radio signals to bounce off the sea floor and the delay in time calcualtes to the total depth

Answer 5

They transmit a signal and then measure the time it take for the signal to bounce off the bottom and return to sensor (transducer)

Answer 6

they shoot out waves and registers how long it takes for it to get back to the prob, and that gives you the depth, i hope this is what you wanted,, good luck

Answer 7

sound waves bounce off the bottom or fish

Answer 8

i do not know!! ThaT QUESTION IS TOO DEEP!! for me, dude!

Answer 9

they use sonar.