A transverse wave is traveling through a canal. If the distance between two successive crests is 2.97 m and four crests of the wave pass a buoy along the direction of travel every 20.6 s, determine the following.
What on earth does a shepherd have to do with waves?
To determine the following values, we need to use the formula for wave velocity:
Velocity = Frequency x Wavelength
1. Find the frequency of the wave:
Frequency = 1 / Time
The time it takes for four crests to pass the buoy is 20.6 s. Therefore,
Frequency = 1 / 20.6 s = 0.0485 Hz
2. Find the wavelength of the wave:
Wavelength is the distance between two successive crests. In this case, it is given as 2.97 m.
Wavelength = 2.97 m
3. Find the velocity of the wave:
Velocity = Frequency x Wavelength
= 0.0485 Hz x 2.97 m
= 0.144 m/s
So, the velocity of the wave is 0.144 m/s.