Tsunamis are fast-moving waves often generated by underwater earthquakes. In the

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 889 km and traveled a distance of 3520 km in 6.37 h. (a) What was the speed (in m/s) of the wave? For reference, the speed of a 747 jetliner is about 250 m/s. Find the wave's (b) frequency and (c) period.

Explanation / Answer

The speed is the distance traveled over the time it took to travel that distance. The distance is 3520 km. The time is 6.37 hr, which you have to convert to seconds. (There are 3600 seconds in an hour). a)speed= 153.497m/s b) f = c / ? f = 153.497 / 889000 f = 1.73 * 10^-4 Hz to two significant figures. c) T = 1 / f T = 1 / (1.73 * 10^-4) T = 5791.64 s to two significant figures.

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