You are at a pool party and notice that 2 waves pass by a floating ball in 4 seconds. If the distance between each wave crest is 2 meters, what is the speed of the waves? Note: To calculate frequency, use the equation: Frequency = Number of waves / Time (Remember, the / symbol means division) Then, to calculate wave speed, use the equation: Wave speed (m/s) = Frequency (Hz) x Wavelength (m) (1 point)

Question

A 1 m/s
B 6 m/s
C 2 m/s
D 1.5 m/s

Answer 1

To find the speed of the waves, we first need to determine the frequency and then use the wave speed formula.

1. Calculate the Frequency:

   • Number of waves = 2
   • Time = 4 seconds \[ \text{Frequency} = \frac{\text{Number of waves}}{\text{Time}} = \frac{2 \text{ waves}}{4 \text{ seconds}} = 0.5 \text{ Hz} \]

2. Determine the Wavelength:

   • Wavelength = Distance between wave crests = 2 meters

3. Calculate the Wave Speed: \[ \text{Wave speed} = \text{Frequency} \times \text{Wavelength} = 0.5 \text{ Hz} \times 2 \text{ m} = 1 \text{ m/s} \]

Based on this calculation, the speed of the waves is 1 m/s.

The answer is A 1 m/s.