Question

4.

Tsunamis are fast-moving waves often generated by underwater earthquakes. In the deep ocean their amplitude is barely noticeable, but upon reaching shore, they can rise up to the astonishing height of a six-story building. One tsunami, generated off the Aleutian islands in Alaska, had a wavelength of 750 km and traveled a distance of 3700 km in 5.3 h. (a)   What was the speed (in m/s) of the wave? For reference, the speed of a 747 jetliner is about 250 m/s Find the wave's (b)   frequency and (c) period.

Answer 1

a) The speed of the wave is: d 3700km 3700(1000) t 5.3h 5.3 (3600) = 194 m/s b) The frequency is v 194 λ 750×102=2.60×10-4 Hz c) The period is: f 2.60x10 Hz 3.90x10' s