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Earthquakes are essentially sound waves—called seismic waves—traveling through the earth. Because the earth is solid, it can support both longitudinal and transverse seismic waves. The speed of longitudinal waves, called P waves, is
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Student Workbook for Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, Vol 1. (Chs 1-21)
- Rank the waves represented by the following functions from the largest to the smallest according to (i) their amplitudes, (ii) their wavelengths, (iii) their frequencies, (iv) their periods, and (v) their speeds. If the values of a quantity are equal for two waves, show them as having equal rank. For all functions, x and y are in meters and t is in seconds. (a) y = 4 sin (3x 15t) (b) y = 6 cos (3x + 15t 2) (c) y = 8 sin (2x + 15t) (d) y = 8 cos (4x + 20t) (e) y = 7 sin (6x + 24t)arrow_forwardA sound wave can be characterized as (a) a transverse wave, (b) a longitudinal wave, (c) a transverse wave or a longitudinal wave, depending on the nature of its source, (d) one that carries no energy, or (e) a wave that does not require a medium to be transmitted from one place to the other.arrow_forwardDuring a thunderstorm, a frightened child is soothed by learning to estimate the distance to a lightning strike by counting the time between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder (Fig. P2.25). The speed vs of sound in air depends on the air temperature, but assume the value is 343 m/s. The speed of light c is 3.00 108 m/s. a. A child sees the lightning and then counts to eight slowly before hearing the thunder. Assume the light travel time is negligible. Estimate the distance to the lightning strike. b. Using your estimate in part (a), find the light travel time. Is it fair to neglect the light travel time? c. Think about how time was measured in this problem. Is it fair to neglect the difference between the speed of sound in cold air (vs at 0C = 331.4 m/s) and the speed of sound in very warm air (vs at 40C = 355.4 m/s)?arrow_forward
- On a particular day the speed of sound in air is 340 m/s. If a plane flies at a speed of 680 m/s, is its Mach number (a) 1.5, (b) 2.0, (c) 2.5, or (d) 2.7?arrow_forwardProblems 32 and 33 are paired. N Seismic waves travel outward from the epicenter of an earthquake. A single earthquake produces both longitudinal seismic waves known as P waves and transverse waves known as S waves. Both transverse and longitudinal waves can travel through solids such as rock. Longitudinal waves can travel through fluids, whereas transverse waves can only be sustained near the surface of a fluid, not inside the fluid. When seismic waves encounter a fluid medium such as the liquid outer core of the Earth, only the longitudinal P wave can propagate through. Geophysicists can model the interior of the Earth by knowing where and when S and P waves were detected by seismographs after an earthquake (Fig. P17.32). Assume the average speed of an S wave through the Earths mantle is 5.4 km/s and the average speed of a P wave is 9.3 km/s. After an earthquake, a seismograph finds that the P wave arrives 1.5 min before the S wave. How far is the epicenter from the detector? FIGURE P17.32arrow_forwardA sound wave is modeled with the wave function P=1.20Pasin(kx6.28104s1t) and the sound wave travels in air at a speed of v=343.00 m/s. (a) What is the wave number of the sound wave? (b) What is the value for P(3.00 m, 20.00 s)?arrow_forward
- A sound wave in air has a pressure amplitude equal to 4.00 103 Pa. Calculate the displacement amplitude of the wave at a frequency of 10.0 kHz.arrow_forward(a) At an air show a jet flies directly toward the stands at a speed of 1200 km/h, emitting a frequency of 3500 Hz, on a day when the speed of sound is 342 m/s. What frequency is received by the observers? (b) What frequency do they receive as the plane flies directly away from them?arrow_forwardA sinusoidal wave travels down a taut, horizontal string with a linear mass density of =0.060 kg/m. The magnitude of maximum vertical acceleration of the wave is aymax=0.90 cm/s2 and the amplitude of the wave is 0.40 m. The string is under a tension of FT=600.00 N. The wave moves in the negative x-direction. Write an equation to model the wave.arrow_forward
- Earthquakes generate sound waves inside Earth. Unlike a gas, Earth can experience both transverse (S) and longitudinal (P) sound waves. Typically, the speed of S waves is about 4.08 km/s, and that of P waves 7.95 km/s. A seismograph records P and S waves from an earthquake. The first P waves arrive 2.90 min before the first S waves. If the waves travel in a straight line, how far away does the earthquake occur? Number Unitsarrow_forwardTsunamis are fast-moving waves often generated by underwater earthquakes. In the deep ocean, their amplitude is barely noticeable, but upon reaching shore, they can rise up to the astonishing height of a six-story building. One tsunami, generated off the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, had a wavelength of 949 km and traveled a distance of 193 m in 11.52 h. What was the speed (in m/s) of the wave? For reference, the speed of a 747 jetliner is about 415 m/s. No need to include the unit. Write your answer in scientific notation. (1.11e+1) Add your answerarrow_forwardEarthquakes generate sound waves inside Earth. Unlike a gas, Earth can experience both transverse (S) and longitudinal (P) sound waves. Typically, the speed of S waves is about 4.79 km/s, and that of P waves 7.51 km/s. A seismograph records P and S waves from an earthquake. The first P waves arrive 3.52 min before the first S waves. If the waves travel in a straightline, how far away does the earthquake occur? Number i Unitsarrow_forward
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