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Set 56 Problem number 8


Problem

A wave propagates at velocity 3347 meters/secon and has cycles with a period of .000072 second.  What is the wavelength of this wave?

Solution

If the wave is traveling at 3347 meters/second, then in .000072 second the wave will travel through a peak-to-peak cycle. During .000072 second the wave travels ( 3347 meters/second) ( .000072 second) = .241 meters, which must therefore be the peak-to-peak distance. The wavelength is therefore .241 meters.

Generalized Solution

If it takes a cycle of length `lambda a total time T to pass, the velocity of the wave must be

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