Jul 09 2009
Echolocation is our Word for the Week
Our word for the week is Echolocation. This term refers to the process of finding objects by emitting sound waves. Subtle differences in the echo pattern made by the sound waves when they reflect off of objects help animals locate food and avoid obstacles in the dark.
A good example of a creature that uses echolocation is the bat. The bat will emit a high frequency pulse of sound that is above the hearing range of the human ear. The bat will use the return sound to hone in on the pray. As they get closer to the pray, the bat will increase to 200 sound pulses, this helps them locate targets as small as a gnat.
Some sea creatures such as the dolphin, porpoises, and sperm whale use echolocation to help them navigate through the ocean. The pulses of sound the emit are very similar to the sonar radar that a submarine uses. The term for the week is from Discover Science Dictionary.
