An ocean wave has an amplitude of 2.5m weather condition suddenly changes such that the wave has an amplitude of 5.0m the amount of energy transported by the is;

Correct answer: C. Quadrupled

  • A. Halved
  • B. Doubled
  • C. Quadrupled
  • D. Remain the same

Explanation

The correct option is C Quadrupled. The energy transported by a wave is directly proportional to the square of the amplitude of the wave. This energy-amplitude relationship is sometimes expressed in the following manner. This means that a doubling of the amplitude of a wave is indicative of a quadrupling of the energy transported by the wave. A tripling of the amplitude of a wave is indicative of a nine-fold increase in the amount of energy transported by the wave. And a quadrupling of the amplitude of a wave is indicative of a 16-fold increase in the amount of energy transported by the wave. The table below further expresses this energy-amplitude relationship. Observe that whenever the amplitude increases by a given factor, the energy value is increased by the same factor squared. For example, changing the amplitude from 1 unit to 2 units represents a 2-fold increase in the amplitude and is accompanied by a 4-fold (22) increase in the energy; thus 2 units of energy becomes 4 times bigger - 8 units. As another example, changing the amplitude from 1 unit to 4 units represents a 4-fold increase in the amplitude and is accompanied by a 16-fold (42) increase in the energy; thus 2 units of energy becomes 16 times bigger - 32 units.

This question appeared on the ETEA MDCAT 2005 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.

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About Progressive Waves

Progressive waves transfer energy through a medium or space while particles oscillate about their equilibrium positions. The work includes amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period, phase difference, wave speed and the progressive wave equation, while distinguishing travelling waves from stationary waves, where the pattern has fixed nodes and antinodes.

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