Which sound wave-object interaction is used by animals in echolocation?

• A. Absorption
• B. Reflection
• C. Diffraction
• D. Refraction

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of echolocation. Echolocation is a biological sonar used by animals like bats and dolphins to navigate and locate objects by emitting sound waves and interpreting the returning echoes.
2. Step 2: Review the types of sound wave-object interactions. These include absorption (sound energy is absorbed by the object), reflection (sound waves bounce back from the surface of the object), diffraction (sound waves bend around obstacles), and refraction (sound waves change direction when passing through different mediums).
3. Step 3: Identify which interaction is relevant to echolocation. For echolocation to work, the emitted sound waves must return to the animal after interacting with an object. This requires the sound waves to bounce back, which is the process of reflection.
4. Step 4: Compare reflection with other interactions. Absorption would prevent the sound waves from returning, diffraction would cause the waves to bend around the object, and refraction would alter the direction of the waves, none of which are suitable for echolocation.
5. Step 5: Conclude that reflection is the correct interaction used in echolocation, as it allows animals to detect the location, size, and shape of objects based on the returning sound waves.