- #1
Heat
- 273
- 0
Homework Statement
A wave traveling in a straight line on a ocean is described by the equation
y ( x,t) = (3.75cm)cos(.450cm^-1x + 5.40s^-1t)
where y is the displacement perpendicular to the undisturbed surface of the ocean.
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?
What is the wave number?
What isthe number of waves per second that pass the fisherman?
How fast does a wave crest travel past the fisherman?
What is the maximum speed of his cork floater as the wave causes it to bob up and down?
The Attempt at a Solution
ok for part a this is my attempt
since it says that the following y ( x,t) = (3.75cm)cos(.450cm^-1x + 5.40s^-1t)
the y will be the same, as when the period/cycle ends it will be in the same position and the x will also be the same as the boat is anchored.
so it should be safe to assume
0 = 3.75 cos (t/5.40s)
cos is equal to 0 when it's is one
cos pi/2 = 0
pi/2 = t / 5.40
t = 8.48
does this seem right?