Waves Physics Example 3

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Example 3

medium
Water waves in a ripple tank have a wavelength of 0.03 m0.03 \text{ m} and travel at 0.12 m/s0.12 \text{ m/s}. What is the frequency? How many complete waves pass a point in 15 s15 \text{ s}?

Solution

  1. 1
    Frequency: f=vλ=0.120.03=4 Hzf = \frac{v}{\lambda} = \frac{0.12}{0.03} = 4 \text{ Hz}.
  2. 2
    Number of waves in 15 s15 \text{ s}: N=f×t=4×15=60N = f \times t = 4 \times 15 = 60 waves.

Answer

f=4 Hz,N=60 wavesf = 4 \text{ Hz}, \quad N = 60 \text{ waves}
Frequency tells us how many complete wave cycles pass a fixed point per second. Over a longer time, the total count is simply the frequency multiplied by time.

About Waves

A disturbance that transfers energy and information through space or a medium without permanently displacing the matter it travels through.

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