An ocean wave travels 17.1 m in 6.7 s. The
distance between the two nearest wave crests
is 5.1 m.
What is the frequency of the wave?
Answer in units of H
speed of wave = 17.1/6.7 = 2.55 m/s
wavelength = speed * period
5.1 m = 2.55 m/s * T
T = 2 seconds
f = 1/T = 1/2 = .5 Hz
To find the frequency of the wave, we need to use the equation:
Frequency (f) = Speed (v) / Wavelength (λ)
In this case, the distance traveled by the wave (17.1 m) represents the wavelength (λ), and the time it takes to travel that distance (6.7 s) represents the speed (v).
Let's start by calculating the speed:
Speed (v) = Distance (s) / Time (t)
v = 17.1 m / 6.7 s
v ≈ 2.552 m/s
Now, we can use the calculated speed and the given wavelength to find the frequency:
Frequency (f) = Speed (v) / Wavelength (λ)
f = 2.552 m/s / 5.1 m
f ≈ 0.5 Hz
Therefore, the frequency of the ocean wave is approximately 0.5 Hz (Hertz).