How far will these waves go

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In summary, two-point sources 2.0 m apart from each other will create waves in water that will continue indefinitely at a frequency of 1.0Hz and a speed of 0.60m/s. The distance that the waves will go is determined by the equation d= v/(lambda), which in this case would be 1m. However, the question of "how far will the waves go" is not applicable as waves do not stop or have a finite distance.
  • #1
roy5995
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How far will the waves go if two-point sources 2.0 m aparts from each other are making waves in water in phase with each other at a frequency of 1.0Hz. The speed of the waves are 0.60m/s. How far will the waves go?






(lambda)= v/f = 0.60/1 = 0.60m
wavelength is 0.60m

d= v/(lambda) = 0.60/0.60 = 1m

What did i do wrong? Or should the waves continue forever?
 
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  • #2
I don't understand the question. Why should the waves ever "stop"?

Clearly, the equation d= v/(lambda) = 0.60/0.60 = 1m is wrong simply because it has the wrong units: v is in m/s and lambda in m
v/lambda will give (m/s)(1/m)= 1/s: it has units of "per second", not meters and is not a length.
 
  • #3


Your calculations are correct. The waves will continue to travel indefinitely in the water, as long as there is no interference or absorption. The distance of 1 meter is the wavelength, which represents the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of the wave. Therefore, the waves will continue to propagate until they reach a barrier or dissipate due to other factors.
 

1. How are waves created?

Waves are created by disturbances in a medium, such as water or air. These disturbances cause particles in the medium to vibrate, creating a ripple effect that travels outward.

2. What factors affect how far waves can travel?

The distance that waves can travel is influenced by several factors, including the strength of the initial disturbance, the density and composition of the medium, and any obstacles or barriers that may impede their movement.

3. Can waves travel indefinitely?

In theory, waves can travel indefinitely as long as the medium they are traveling through remains consistent. However, in reality, factors such as energy loss and dissipation due to friction and other forces can cause waves to eventually dissipate and diminish in strength.

4. What is the relationship between frequency and distance traveled by waves?

The frequency of a wave, or the number of complete cycles it makes per second, does not directly affect the distance it can travel. However, waves with higher frequencies tend to have shorter wavelengths and may dissipate more quickly as a result.

5. Can waves travel through all types of mediums?

Waves can travel through a variety of mediums, including solids, liquids, and gases. However, the speed and characteristics of the waves may vary depending on the properties of the medium they are traveling through.

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