Understanding Ocean Waves: A Simple Guide
Ocean waves are really interesting! We can learn about them using a simple equation: ( v = f \lambda ). Let’s break down what each part means:
Wave Speed ((v)): This tells us how fast the wave moves across the water. The speed can change depending on things like how deep the water is and how strong the wind blows.
Frequency ((f)): This shows us how many waves pass by a certain spot in a certain amount of time. We measure this in hertz (Hz). For example, if you see 5 waves in 10 seconds, the frequency would be (0.5 , \text{Hz}).
Wavelength ((\lambda)): This is the distance from one wave peak to the next wave peak. If the distance between two peaks is 10 meters, then we say (\lambda = 10 , \text{m}).
With this equation, if you know the frequency and wavelength, you can figure out the wave speed! This helps us better understand how the ocean works.
Understanding Ocean Waves: A Simple Guide
Ocean waves are really interesting! We can learn about them using a simple equation: ( v = f \lambda ). Let’s break down what each part means:
Wave Speed ((v)): This tells us how fast the wave moves across the water. The speed can change depending on things like how deep the water is and how strong the wind blows.
Frequency ((f)): This shows us how many waves pass by a certain spot in a certain amount of time. We measure this in hertz (Hz). For example, if you see 5 waves in 10 seconds, the frequency would be (0.5 , \text{Hz}).
Wavelength ((\lambda)): This is the distance from one wave peak to the next wave peak. If the distance between two peaks is 10 meters, then we say (\lambda = 10 , \text{m}).
With this equation, if you know the frequency and wavelength, you can figure out the wave speed! This helps us better understand how the ocean works.