Question

Why do you think we can hear our voices echo when we are in a place like a gym or canyon? Explain.

Answer 1

Sound is a waveform made from vibrating matter. The sound wave travels through matter especially air. When the wave hits a different material, some of it is reflected, absorbed and transmitted through the material. In the case of a sound wave in air hitting a solid wall, most of the sound is reflected.

If the wall is relatively flat, perpendicular to the source of the sound, and far enough away (but not too far), then you can hear the reflected waveform or echo. If the sound comes back in about 0.1 second or longer, you can readily distinguish the echo.

I hope this helps....