- #1
Wardlaw
- 27
- 0
Why is it that smoke signals can propagate information over longer distances than sound signals?
Wardlaw said:Why is it that smoke signals can propagate information over longer distances than sound signals?
elect_eng said:Since you are talking over the internet, I assume you are asking humans this question. Generally we can see further than we can hear in our normal environment.
But, ask a whale a similar question and he will laugh at you. He can hear and communicate across half the world by submerging to the depth of the SOFAR channel, which acts as an acoustic waveguide. Yet, he can not see past the horizon on a clear day, at the surface.
By the way, whales have had their own global internet for many millennia.
elect_eng said:the SOFAR channel
Smoke signals use visual cues, such as puffs of smoke, to communicate over distance, while sound signals use audible cues, such as shouts or musical instruments, to communicate over distance.
Smoke signals can travel a greater distance than sound signals, as they are not affected by obstacles or wind and can be seen from far away. Sound signals can be disrupted by obstacles and lose intensity over distance.
The distance smoke signals can travel depends on various factors, such as the amount of smoke produced, the weather conditions, and the observer's vantage point. In general, smoke signals can be seen from a few miles away.
The distance sound signals can travel depends on the strength of the sound source, the atmospheric conditions, and the presence of obstacles. In ideal conditions, sound signals can travel up to 20 miles.
In most cases, smoke signals are more reliable for long-distance communication as they are not affected by obstacles or atmospheric conditions. Sound signals can be easily disrupted and lose intensity over distance, making them less reliable for long-distance communication.