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Mr. Burns is carefully counting his money at the nuclear power plant while the EPA is carefully counting the waves of toxic waste that is dumped in the local river. The EPA counts 600 waves in 8 hours. Each wave has a wavelength of 3 feet. Using the information calculate the wave frequency, wave period, and wave speed. **BE SURE TO LABEL WITH UNITS**

User Stephan
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2 Answers

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A.) We know, wave frequency is the number of waves passing a point at a certain time.

So, Frequency = Number of waves / unit time (in sec)
Here, Number of waves = 600
Time = 8 hours = 8 * 3600 = 28,800 s

Now, substitute the values into the expression:
f = 600 / 28800
f = 6/288
f = 0.02 Hertz

B.) Now, We know, wave period is the reciprocal of the frequency,
So, T = 1/f
T = 1/0.02
T= 50 sec

C.) wave speed = (600 waves)(3 ft/1 wave) / 8 hours = 225 Ft/h

In short, Your Answer would be 225 Ft/h for this part

Hope this helps!
User Satbir
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(1) wave frequency is the number of waves passing a point at a certain time. Usually, this is expressed in a unit of 1/s or Hz.
f = (600 waves) / (8 hours x 3600 seconds/1 hour) = 1/48 or 0.02 Hz
(2) wave period, T = 1/f
T = 1/48 Hz = 48 s
(3) wave speed
speed = (600 waves)(3 ft/1 wave) / 8 hours
= 225 ft/h
User Kevin Sun
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5.9k points