How Does Wavelength Change When Water Waves Cross from Deep to Shallow Water?

Click For Summary
When water waves transition from deep to shallow water, their wavelength changes due to the effects of refraction, which is described by Snell's Law. The initial wavelength is 5.2 cm, and as the waves enter shallower water at an angle of 25 degrees, they refract to an angle of 17 degrees. The new wavelength can be calculated using the relationship between the angles and the wavelengths in both media. The user initially calculated a new wavelength of 3.59 cm but is uncertain about its accuracy. Clarification on the correct application of Snell's Law is needed to confirm the solution.
chester89
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
The question reads:

"Water waves in the deep part of a ripple tank have a wavelength of 5.2cm. They approach the boundary where the shallow part begins with an angle of 25degrees between the waves and the boundary, but after they have crossed the boundary, this angle has dropped to 17degrees. What is their new wavelength"

I just have no idea where to start. Could someone please help me or atleast give me a hint to how I should start this question? I'm so lost. :confused:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
HINT: Have you ever heard of Snell's Law?
 
No I haven't but I searched it up in google and it didn't seem to help me very much with this question. I managed to come up with an answer of 3.59cm but I don't know if it's right or not. Could someone please solve this question and confirm that my answer is correct?

Thanks.
 
PLEASE, I really need help! :cry:
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
20
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 61 ·
3
Replies
61
Views
6K
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K