A skipper on a boat notices wave crests passing the anchor chain every 5 seconds. The skipper estimates the wave height to be 1 m (above calm water) and the distance between crests at 15 m.

Question

A skipper on a boat notices wave crests passing the anchor chain every 5 seconds. The skipper estimates the wave height to be 1 m (above calm water) and the distance between crests at 15 m. What are the characteristics of the waves?

a) amplitude

b) speed

c) frequency

d) period

Answer 1

given Time Period = 5 Sec

Amplitude = 1m, Wave length = 15 m

using time period = 1/ frequency , Frequency = 1/5 cycles per sec = 0.2 sec = 12 per min

wave speed= Frequency * Wave length

speed = 0.2*15 = 3m/s