Solving Wave Motion: A Water Wave on a Lake

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a physics problem related to wave motion on a lake, specifically regarding the time for a wave pattern to pass a stationary fisherman and the distance traveled by the wave crest. The user initially calculated the time for one complete wave pattern as 1.16 seconds, which was correct. However, they miscalculated the wavelength, obtaining approximately 1396 meters instead of the correct value of 0.140 meters. The error stemmed from incorrectly converting the wave number from cm⁻¹ to m⁻¹. Clarification on unit conversion is crucial for accurate results in wave motion problems.
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Homework Statement



A water wave traveling in a straight line on a lake is described by the equation
y(x,t)=(3.75\,\text{cm})\cos(0.450\,\text{cm}^{-1}x+5.40\,\text{s}^{−1}t)
where y is the displacement perpendicular to the undisturbed surface of the lake.

How much time does it take for one complete wave pattern to go past a fisherman in a boat at anchor?

What horizontal distance does the wave crest travel in that time?

Homework Equations



\omega = 2\pi f
k=\frac{2\pi}{\lambda}

The Attempt at a Solution



This is part of an online test we were asked to submit. For the first part I got t=1.16\,\text{s} which was correct. For the second part I got the wavelength as the answer, \lambda = \frac{2\pi}{0.0045} \approx 1396\,\text{m}. However, the online assessment tells me that the correct answer is 0.140\,\text{m}.

Can anyone explain where I went wrong?

(This is also question 15.10 in University Physics with Modern Physics International Edition, 13th Edition, if anyone should happen to have the solution manual to such a thing)
 
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Your error is in converting 0.450cm−1 to m-1. You've handled it as though converting from cm to m.
 
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