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 645 km and traveled a distance of 3880 km in 4.88 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

a) speed = distance / time
speed = 3880*1000 / (4.88*3600)
speed = 3700000 / 19440
speed = 220.856 m/s to two significant figures.

b) f = speed /
f = 220.856 / 645000
f = 3.424 * 10^-4 Hz to two significant figures.

c) T = 1 / f
T = 1 / (3.424 * 10^-4 )
T = 2920.45 s

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