An ocean wave has a length of 12.0 meters. A wave passes a fixed location every 3.0 seconds. What is the speed of the wave?
This problem seems easy.
But I'm confused. Please help.
2007-02-24 11:29:42 · 5 answers · asked by vicky p 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
To find the speed of a wave multiply its wavelength times its frequency.
For your problem, the wavelength is 12 m.
The frequency is just the number of waves divided by the time it takes those waves to pass.
f = waves / time = 1 / 3 s
So speed = 1/3s x 12 m = 4 m/s
2007-02-24 12:01:58 · answer #1 · answered by Thomas G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fixed Location
2016-12-18 08:11:11 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The speed of the wave is 4 m/s if by a "fixed location" you mean wave's length. Speed=length/time.
2007-02-24 11:38:49 · answer #3 · answered by Baller 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It *is* easy. If it's 12 meters from crest to crest and takes 3 seconds from one crest to the next, it's moving at
12/3 = 4 m/s
Doug
2007-02-24 11:42:03 · answer #4 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wavelength = velocity/frequency
since we're solving for velocity, and dont have frequency yet, we need to solve for frequency.
f=1/t where t is time
f=1/3sec
f=.3334
wavelength = x/.33
since the wavelength is 12 meters, 12=x/.3334
x=4, so the velocity is 4m/s
2007-02-24 11:37:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋