Question

A tsunami, an ocean wave generated by an earthquake, propagates along the open ocean at 700 km/hr and has a wavelength of 750 km. What is the frequency of the waves in such a tsunami?A. 6.8 HzB. 0.93 HzC. 0.00026 HzD. 1.1 HzE. 0.15 Hz

Answer 1

Answer:

C) 0.00026 Hz

Explanation:

• In any wave, there exists a fixed relationship between the speed v, the frequency f and the wavelength λ, as follows:

       $v = \lambda * f (1)$

• Replacing by the givens in (1), and solving for f, we get:

       $f = \frac{v}{\lambda} = \frac{700km/hr}{750 km} = 0.93 1/hr (2)$

• Converting the units to Hz (1/sec), we get:

       $f = 0.93 \frac{1}{hr} *\frac{1 hr}{3600sec} = 2.6e-4 = 0.00026 Hz (2)$

• The answer C. is the right one.