Question

Of the following statements about ocean waves, which one(s) describe wave period? Choose all that apply

a) Wave period is the distance between two wave crests.
b) Wave period is the time it takes for one complete wave to pass a fixed point.
c) Wave period is unrelated to wave speed.
d) Wave period is determined by water temperature.

Answer 1

The wave period is described by the time it takes for a complete wave to pass a fixed point, which is related to the wave speed and inversely proportional to frequency. Option b) is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the given statements about ocean waves, the one(s) that describe wave period are:

1. Wave period is the time it takes for one complete wave to pass a fixed point.

Statement a) is incorrect as it describes the wavelength, not wave period. Statement c) is incorrect because wave period is inversely related to wave speed; as the period decreases, the speed increases, and vice versa. Statement d) is also incorrect because while water temperature can affect wave speed, the period of a wave is mainly determined by its source and does not depend directly on water temperature.