The reason for this is to make sure that the sound reaches each runner at the same time.
But when you do the math the numbers are not good:
What if the runners are set up on a track that is 30 ft wide with a single speaker on one side. Obviously the runner right next to the speaker would get the sound first. But what advantage would that be?
Since the speed of sound is about 1,100 ft/s the runner farthest away (30 ft) from the speaker would get the sound about 0.03 seconds after the runner closest to the speaker. Really not that much to matter but within the ability of the timing equipment to measure so thats why they do it.
F the speed of sound as about 1,100 ft/s and the track is
But when you do the math the numbers are not good:
What if the runners are set up on a track that is 30 ft wide with a single speaker on one side. Obviously the runner right next to the speaker would get the sound first. But what advantage would that be?
Since the speed of sound is about 1,100 ft/s the runner farthest away (30 ft) from the speaker would get the sound about 0.03 seconds after the runner closest to the speaker. Really not that much to matter but within the ability of the timing equipment to measure so thats why they do it.
F the speed of sound as about 1,100 ft/s and the track is