Question

A lifeguard on a beach observes that waves have a speed of 2.60 m/s and a distance of 2.50 m between wave crests. What is the period of the wave motion?

Answer 1

Period =0.96 s

Step-by-step explanation

the wave velocity is given by

`\begin{gathered} v=(\lambda)/(T) \\ \text{where} \\ T\text{ is the period and }\lambda\text{ is }the\text{ distance betwe}en\text{ }wave\text{ crest} \end{gathered}`

hence

Step 1

Let

`\begin{gathered} v=260\text{ m/s} \\ \lambda=2.50\text{ m} \end{gathered}`

now, replace

`\begin{gathered} v=(\lambda)/(T) \\ 260((m)/(s))=\frac{2.50\text{ m}}{T} \\ \text{solve for T} \\ T=\frac{2.50\text{ m}}{2.60((m)/(s))}=0.96s^{} \\ T=0.96\text{ s} \end{gathered}`

so, the answer is 0.96 s

I hope this helps you