NECO 2003 Physics · Question 4

The distance between two successive crests of a water wave is 0.5m. If a particle on the surface of the water…

Question

The distance between two successive crests of a water wave is 0.5m. If a particle on the surface of the water wave makes two complete vertical oscillations in 1s, calculate the speed of the wave.

A.0.25 $ms^{-1}$
B.0.50 $ms^{-1}$
C.1.00 $ms^{-1}$
D.2.00 $ms^{-1}$
E.4.00 $ms^{-1}$

Answer: C. 1.00 $ms^{-1}$

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question

Distance between two successive crests = wavelength, λ = 0.5 m
A particle makes 2 complete oscillations in 1 s, so the frequency is f = 2 Hz
We need the wave speed, v

Concept

The wave equation links speed, frequency and wavelength:

v = fλ

Solution

f = 2 oscillations / 1 s = 2 Hz

v = fλ = 2 × 0.5 = 1.00 m/s

Answer

The speed of the wave is 1.00 m/s, which matches option C.

Tip

"Distance between successive crests" always means wavelength. "Oscillations per second" always means frequency. Once you spot these two, just multiply: v = fλ.

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The distance between two successive crests of a water wave is 0.5m. If a particle on the surface of the water…

Question

Answer: C. 1.00ms−1ms^{-1}ms−1

Answer: C. 1.00 $ms^{-1}$