Concept explainers
Predict/Calculate Four waves are described by the following equations, in which all distances are measured in centimeters and all times are measured in seconds:
(a) Which of these waves travel in the +x direction? (b) Which of these waves travel in the −x direction? (c) Which wave has the highest frequency? (d) Which wave has the greatest wavelength? (e) Which wave has the greatest speed?
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionChapter 14 Solutions
Physics (5th Edition)
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
The Cosmic Perspective
Essential University Physics: Volume 1 (3rd Edition)
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (3rd Edition)
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Edition)
Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals
Essential University Physics: Volume 2 (3rd Edition)
- Problems 32 and 33 are paired. N Seismic waves travel outward from the epicenter of an earthquake. A single earthquake produces both longitudinal seismic waves known as P waves and transverse waves known as S waves. Both transverse and longitudinal waves can travel through solids such as rock. Longitudinal waves can travel through fluids, whereas transverse waves can only be sustained near the surface of a fluid, not inside the fluid. When seismic waves encounter a fluid medium such as the liquid outer core of the Earth, only the longitudinal P wave can propagate through. Geophysicists can model the interior of the Earth by knowing where and when S and P waves were detected by seismographs after an earthquake (Fig. P17.32). Assume the average speed of an S wave through the Earths mantle is 5.4 km/s and the average speed of a P wave is 9.3 km/s. After an earthquake, a seismograph finds that the P wave arrives 1.5 min before the S wave. How far is the epicenter from the detector? FIGURE P17.32arrow_forwardAs a certain sound wave travels through the air, it produces pressure variations (above anti below atmospheric pressure) given by P = 1.27 sin (x - 34t) in SI units. Find (a) the amplitude of the pressure variations. (b) the frequency, (c) the wavelength in air. and (d| the speed of the sound wave.arrow_forwardA wave is described by y = 0.020 0 sin (kx - t), where k = 2.11 rad/m, = 3.62 rad/s, x and y are in meters, and t is in seconds. Determine (a) (he amplitude, (b) the wavelength, (c) the frequency, and (d) the speed of the wave.arrow_forward
- A sound wave propagates in air at 27C with frequency 4.00 kHz. It passes through a region where the temperature gradually changes and then moves through air at 0C. Give numerical answers to the following questions to the extent possible and state your reasoning about what happens to the wave physically. (a) What happens to the speed of the wave? (b) What happens to its frequency? (c) What happens to its wavelength?arrow_forwardRank the waves represented by the following functions from the largest to the smallest according to (i) their amplitudes, (ii) their wavelengths, (iii) their frequencies, (iv) their periods, and (v) their speeds. If the values of a quantity are equal for two waves, show them as having equal rank. For all functions, x and y are in meters and t is in seconds. (a) y = 4 sin (3x 15t) (b) y = 6 cos (3x + 15t 2) (c) y = 8 sin (2x + 15t) (d) y = 8 cos (4x + 20t) (e) y = 7 sin (6x + 24t)arrow_forwardDuring a thunderstorm, a frightened child is soothed by learning to estimate the distance to a lightning strike by counting the time between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder (Fig. P2.25). The speed vs of sound in air depends on the air temperature, but assume the value is 343 m/s. The speed of light c is 3.00 108 m/s. a. A child sees the lightning and then counts to eight slowly before hearing the thunder. Assume the light travel time is negligible. Estimate the distance to the lightning strike. b. Using your estimate in part (a), find the light travel time. Is it fair to neglect the light travel time? c. Think about how time was measured in this problem. Is it fair to neglect the difference between the speed of sound in cold air (vs at 0C = 331.4 m/s) and the speed of sound in very warm air (vs at 40C = 355.4 m/s)?arrow_forward
- Ocean waves with a crest-to-crest distance of 10.0 m can be described by the wave function y(x, t) = 0.800 sin [0.628(x - t)] where x and y are in meters, t is in seconds, and = 1.20 m/s. (a) Sketch y(x, t) at t = 0. (b) Sketch y(x, t) at t = 2.00 s. (c) Compare the graph in part (b) with that for part (a) and explain similarities and differences. (d) How has the wave moved between graph (a) and graph (b)?arrow_forwardAn interstate highway has been built through a neighborhood in a city. In the afternoon, the sound level in an apartment in the neighborhood is 80.0 dB as 100 cars pass outside the window every minute. Late at night, the traffic flow is only five cars per minute. What is the average late-night sound level?arrow_forward(a) A pendulum that has a period of 3.00000 s and that is located where the acceleration due to gravity is 9.79m/s2 is moved to a location where it the acceleration due to gravity is 9.82m/s2. What is its new period? (b) Explain Why so many digits are needed in the value for the period, based on the relation between the period and the acceleration due to gravity.arrow_forward
- Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based TextPhysicsISBN:9781133104261Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningPhysics for Scientists and EngineersPhysicsISBN:9781337553278Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningPhysics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern ...PhysicsISBN:9781337553292Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage Learning
- College PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781938168000Author:Paul Peter Urone, Roger HinrichsPublisher:OpenStax CollegePhysics for Scientists and Engineers, Technology ...PhysicsISBN:9781305116399Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningPhysics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations...PhysicsISBN:9781133939146Author:Katz, Debora M.Publisher:Cengage Learning