What distinguishes a wave from an oscillation?
Read more
Table of Contents
Textbook Solutions for Essential University Physics
Question
Tsunamis are ocean waves generally produced when earthquakes suddenly displace the ocean floor, and with it a huge volume of water. Unlike ordinary waves on the ocean surface, a tsunami involves the entire water column, from surface to bottom. To a tsunami, the ocean is shallowand that makes tsunamis shallow-water waves, whose speed is v = 1gd, where d is the water depth and g the gravitational acceleration. Tsunamis can travel thousands of kilometers across an ocean to reach the shore with their initial energy nearly intact; when they do, they can cause massive damage and loss of life (Fig. 14.39). For a tsunami to behave as a shallow-water wave, its wavelength a. must be comparable to or longer than the ocean depth. b. must be shorter than the ocean depth. c. can have any value.
Solution
The first step in solving 14 problem number 82 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: Tsunamis are ocean waves generally produced when earthquakes suddenly displace the ocean floor, and with it a huge volume of water. Unlike ordinary waves on the ocean surface, a tsunami involves the entire water column, from surface to bottom. To a tsunami, the ocean is shallowand that makes tsunamis shallow-water waves, whose speed is v = 1gd, where d is the water depth and g the gravitational acceleration. Tsunamis can travel thousands of kilometers across an ocean to reach the shore with their initial energy nearly intact; when they do, they can cause massive damage and loss of life (Fig. 14.39). For a tsunami to behave as a shallow-water wave, its wavelength a. must be comparable to or longer than the ocean depth. b. must be shorter than the ocean depth. c. can have any value.
From the textbook chapter Wave Motion you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.
Visible to paid subscribers only
Step 3 of 7)Visible to paid subscribers only
full solution