What is the speed of water waves if they travel 4 meters in 2 seconds?

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SUMMARY

The speed of water waves can be calculated using the formula speed = distance/time. In the discussed scenario, water waves travel 4 meters in 2 seconds, resulting in a speed of 2 meters per second. Additionally, the discussion covers the concept of frequency, with a loudspeaker vibrating at 256 Hertz producing 256 waves per second and 15,360 waves in one minute. Understanding these principles is essential for solving related physics problems.

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  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as speed, distance, and time.
  • Knowledge of wave frequency and its relationship to period.
  • Familiarity with the formula for calculating speed (speed = distance/time).
  • Basic mathematical skills for performing calculations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between frequency and period in wave mechanics.
  • Learn about wave propagation in different mediums.
  • Explore advanced topics in wave physics, such as wave interference and reflection.
  • Practice solving problems involving speed, distance, and time in various contexts.
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iamamn
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Right, I am new here and i am really stuck on my homework.
Wandering if you could help me :D lol
anyways,


a loudspeaker vibrates at a frequency of 256 herts to produce a note we call middle c.
(a) how many waves does it produce in one second
(b) how many waves does it produce in 1 minute.?

and also ...

when a stone is dropped into a pond the watr waves spread out and travel a distance of 4 meters in 2 seconds. what is the speed of these waves?

i know they might be simple to you, but i haven't been taught how to do these ...
I got taught how to find out freqency and period, but i just can't figure out how to do these

YOUR HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED :D
xo
 
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iamamn said:
Right, I am new here and i am really stuck on my homework.
Wandering if you could help me :D lol
anyways,


a loudspeaker vibrates at a frequency of 256 herts to produce a note we call middle c.
(a) how many waves does it produce in one second
(b) how many waves does it produce in 1 minute.?

and also ...

when a stone is dropped into a pond the watr waves spread out and travel a distance of 4 meters in 2 seconds. what is the speed of these waves?

i know they might be simple to you, but i haven't been taught how to do these ...
I got taught how to find out freqency and period, but i just can't figure out how to do these

YOUR HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED :D
xo

Welcome to PF iamamn,

Firstly, please don't write in large bold font, it makes your post difficult to read. Secondly, we have Homework Forums for dedicated homework assistance (but don't worry, a mentor will move it there shortly). And thirdly, when requesting homework help you are expected to show an attempted solution or at least outline your thoughts on the problem.

However, since you're new we'll let you off :wink:.

Can you tell me the definition of frequency, or more specifically one Hertz?
 
OK. :D
Well the examples we got in school were:

if a wave has a frwency of 50Hz - whatt's its period?
and i came up with:

T = ?
F = 50hz
T=1/F
T = 1/50 = 0.02s

and if a wave has a period of 5z - what's its frquency?

F = ?
T = 5s
F = 1/T
F = 1/5 = 0.20 Hz


and frequency is the number of waves produced per second by the wave source. and measured in seconds.

I just can't figure it ot really ...

buut for the loudspeaker one is it 256hz for 1 second? and then for (b) times it by 60?
 
iamamn said:
and frequency is the number of waves produced per second by the wave source. and measured in seconds.

I just can't figure it ot really ...

buut for the loudspeaker one is it 256hz for 1 second? and then for (b) times it by 60?
Correct. The frequency is simply the number of oscillations (or waves produced) per unit time. So a wave-source oscillating at 256 Hertz produces 256 waves per second. And of course one simply multiplies this number by 60 to obtain the number of waves per minute.
 
AH! So simple really. i can't believe i couldn't get that :D.

So for the other question,

when the stone is dropped ...

Do i use the frequency solution to find that out? but if i do it doesn't really work out if its asking for speed of the waves.

would the anwser be 2 meters per second? by simply just "halfing" it? to get the number of waves per second?
 
iamamn said:
AH! So simple really. i can't believe i couldn't get that :D.

So for the other question,

when the stone is dropped ...

Do i use the frequency solution to find that out? but if i do it doesn't really work out if its asking for speed of the waves.

would the anwser be 2 meters per second? by simply just "halfing" it? to get the number of waves per second?
No, for the next question you don't use the frequency method, but the solution is just as simple. Think about the definition of speed.
 
Would the anwser be 2 m/s ?

:S
 
iamamn said:
Would the anwser be 2 m/s ?

:S
Indeed it would :approve:
 
Well thank you very much Hootenanny :D
You have been a very big help to my homework and my knowledge :D
THANK YOU xo
 
  • #10
iamamn said:
Well thank you very much Hootenanny :D
You have been a very big help to my homework and my knowledge :D
THANK YOU xo
It was a pleasure.
 

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