If you observe the flash and count 14 seconds before hearing the bang, how far is the impact using the flash to bang method?

To determine the distance to the impact using the flash to bang method, it’s important to understand the way sound travels compared to light. When you see a flash (for example, from an explosion) and count the seconds until you hear the bang, you can estimate the distance based on the speed of sound.

Typically, sound travels at approximately 343 meters per second in air at standard temperature and pressure. By counting the time in seconds between the flash and the bang, you can calculate the distance as follows:

1. Multiply the number of seconds counted by the speed of sound. In this case, 14 seconds multiplied by 343 meters per second gives a result of 4,802 meters.

2. This result can be rounded and is commonly presented in a more straightforward format.

For practical purposes and simplicity, distances are often rounded to significant figures, and the nearest option in the list provided corresponds to approximately 4900 meters.

Thus, the calculation supports the choice of 4900 meters as the most accurate estimate of the impact distance using the flash to bang method.