Question

Tsunamis are fast-moving waves often generated by underwater earthquakes. In the deep ocean their amplitude is barely noticable, 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 646 km and traveled a distance of 3410 km in 4.84 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) V = 195.70 m/s

b) f=3.02 × 10⁻⁴ Hz

c) T = 3311.25 seconds

Step-by-step explanation:

Given:

Wavelength, λ = 646 Km = 646000 m

Distance traveled = 3410 Km = 3410000 m

Time = 4.84 h = 4.84 × 3600 s = 17424 seconds

a) The speed (V) of the wave is given as

V = distance / time

V = 3410000 m/ 17424 seconds

or

V = 195.70 m/s

b) The frequency (f) of the wave is given as:

f = V / λ

f= 195.70 / 646000

f=3.02 × 10⁻⁴ Hz

c) The time period (T) is given as:

T = 1/ f

T = 1/ (3.02 × 10⁻⁴) Hz

T = 3311.25 seconds