Question

An earthquake in the ocean floor can generate a tsunami wave. A tsunami originating near the Alaska coast had a wavelength of 470 miles and traveled 2300 miles in 5.3 h. Determine the wave’s:___________

a. Speed in miles/hour and in m/s.
b. Frequency
c. Period (in seconds and in minutes).

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

the speed of the tsunami will be

v = distance / time

v = s/t

v = 2300 / 5.3

v = 434 miles/hour

To convert this to m/s, we should note that, 1 mile = 1609 m, and thus

434 miles/hr = 434 * 1609/3600

434 miles/hr = 194 m/s

The frequency, f is given by the formula

f = velocity * wavelength

f = vλ

f = 194 * 470

f = 91180 Hz = 91 kHz

Period, T = 1/f

Period T = 1.096*10^-5 s or

Period T = 1.096*10^-5 / 60

Period, T = 1.828*10^-7 minute