A coastal weather station simultaneously receives three wave disturbances

PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Waves Sound and Physical Optics · Waves Sound and Physical Optics

Problem

A coastal weather station simultaneously receives three wave disturbances. Wave A: electromagnetic radiation with wavelength λA=0.30 m\lambda_A=0.30\,\text{m} Wave B: electromagnetic radiation with wavelength λB=1.5×10−4 m\lambda_B=1.5\times10^{-4}\,\text{m} Wave C: a sound wave in air having wavelength λC=0.75 m\lambda_C=0.75\,\text{m} (speed of sound in air is vsound=340 m s−1v_{\text{sound}}=340\,\text{m\,s}^{-1}). For vacuum calculations, use c=3.0×108 m s−1c=3.0\times10^{8}\,\text{m\,s}^{-1}. (a) Determine the frequency of Wave A and of Wave B. Show your work and include appropriate units. (b) Rank Waves A, B, and C in order of decreasing frequency. Clarify your reasoning, and indicate which, if any, of the waves are not electromagnetic. (c) For Waves A and B only, state the corresponding named regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Support each classification with quantitative evidence from part (a).

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