Using the flash to bang method, which calculation method is employed for determining estimated distance?

The method known as "flash to bang" is commonly used to estimate the distance of an artillery round or explosive blast based on the time delay between seeing a flash (the explosion) and hearing the subsequent sound (the bang). This concept harnesses the principle that light travels much faster than sound.

To use this method effectively, you need to know that sound travels at roughly 343 meters per second (or approximately 1,125 feet per second). For practical application, this distance can be simplified for easier calculations in the field. The flash to bang method uses the approximation that sound travels about 350 meters in one second. Thus, when you multiply the time in seconds by 350 meters, you can convert time to estimate the distance from the source of the sound.

This methodology allows individuals to quickly and efficiently assess the distance of an explosive event, which is crucial for safety and operational decisions in the field. The correct calculation method implemented here aligns with how fire support personnel estimate the distance based on observational seconds counted between the flash and the bang.