Calculating Tsunami Characteristics from Chilean Earthquake Data

  • Thread starter Thread starter tennistudof09
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Class
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating tsunami characteristics from the 1960 Chilean earthquake data using the wave equation y = 8 sin(π/6)t. The amplitude of the waves is confirmed to be 8 feet, while the period is determined to be 12 minutes based on the calculation 2π/(π/6). Additionally, the wave velocity is discussed, with the distance between crests being 21 kilometers, leading to a total wave length of 42 kilometers. The velocity calculation requires clarification on the use of the factor 0.75.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of trigonometric functions and their applications in wave modeling
  • Knowledge of wave properties such as amplitude and period
  • Familiarity with basic physics concepts related to wave velocity
  • Ability to perform unit conversions, particularly between kilometers and minutes
NEXT STEPS
  • Study wave mechanics and the mathematical modeling of waves
  • Learn about the relationship between wave speed, wavelength, and frequency
  • Explore the historical context and impact of the 1960 Chilean earthquake on tsunami generation
  • Investigate the use of sine functions in real-world applications, particularly in physics
USEFUL FOR

Students in mathematics and physics, educators teaching wave dynamics, and researchers interested in tsunami modeling and historical earthquake data analysis.

tennistudof09
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
We have this problem for math class:

For an interval of 45 minutes, the tsunamis near Hawaii caused by the chilean earthquake of 1960 could be modeled by the equation y= 8 sin (pi/6)t, where y is in feet and t is in minutes.

a) find the amplitude and period of the waves b) If the distance from one crest of the wave to the next was 21 kilometers, what was the velocity of the wave?

I know the amplitude is 8 and 2pi/ (pi/6) came out to be 12, so I got 12 for the period. For question b, in order to get the velocity, should i just do 21 x (.75)?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Where did you get ".75"?

Any way, if the distance from one crest to another is 21 km, then the length of the wave is 42 km. The time for one end of the wave to "move" to the other is the period, 12 minutes.
 
You have posted the same question in another section. That's not a good thing to do, as responders can waste time answering a question that has already been answered.
 

Similar threads

Are the Amplitude and Period Calculations Correct for This Tsunami Model?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Atmospheric Heating from Meteorite Impact
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
The Power Cable Voltage Sinusoid Word Problem Question (How do you obtain C?)
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
Estimating damped harmonic oscillator parameters from this plot of the oscillations
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Graduate Tsunami Waves & Mechanical Wave Physics
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
14K
Quantum mechanics relation between p, λ, E, f in a wave
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Calculus Readiness Multiple Choice Test Answer Key Wrong?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
11K
Fortran Calculating Cubic Root: Numerical Recipes & Cardino Method
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Egg tossing crime -- From what location was the egg thrown?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
Undergrad What Are the Characteristics of This Sine Curve Equation?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K