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 803 km and traveled a distance of 3100 km in 6.52 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) For speed, convert the answer Km/Hour into m/s.

Here you have, Speed = distance/time = 3100 km / 6.52 h = 475.5 km/h

Now convert this into m/s -

Speed = (475.5 x 1000) / (60 x 60) = 132.1 m/s  

(b) Wave equation: Speed = frequency x wavelength

frequency = speed/wavelength = 475.5 km/h / 803 km = 0.592/h (= 0.592/3600s = 0.000164/s = 0.000164 Hz

(c) Period of the wave = T = 1/f = 1/0.592/h = 1.69 h = 6084 s.

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