Question

Wave A has shorter waves but moves faster and Wave B has taller waves but moves slower.
Which of these waves would have the greatest amount of energy?
A. Wave A
B. Wave B
C. There is not enough information
D. Their energy is equal

Answer 1

C. There is not enough information.

Reason: the energy carried by a wave depends on both amplitude and frequency (for many waves the energy ∝ amplitude^2 × frequency^2, or more generally ∝ A^2( v/λ )^2 for a given medium since f = v/λ). Wave A has shorter wavelength and higher speed (which tends to increase energy), while Wave B has larger amplitude (which also increases energy). Without the actual numbers (amplitudes, wavelengths/speeds and the medium properties) you cannot tell which has more energy.