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 612 km and traveled a distance of 3920 km in 4.09 h. (a) What was the speed (in m/s) of the wave

Answer 1

V = 266.23 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

The speed of the wave can easily be given by the following formula:

V = S/t

where,

V = Speed of the Wave = ?

S = Distance Covered by Wave = 3920 km

S = Distance Covered by Wave = (3920 km)(1000 m/1 km)

S = Distance Covered by Wave = 3.92 x 10⁶ m

t = Time taken by the wave to cover the distance = 4.09 h

t = Time taken by the wave to cover the distance = (4.09 h)(3600 s/1 h)

t = Time taken by the wave to cover the distance = 14724 s

Therefore,

V = (3.92 x 10⁶ m)/(14724 s)

V = 266.23 m/s