We frecueng of the sound waves is 20 kHz . If the spoed of the sound in s \( 500 \mathrm{~m} \cdot \mathrm{~s}^{\prime \prime} \), calculate the wavelength of the sound waves in water.
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To find the wavelength of the sound waves, you can use the formula: wavelength (λ) = speed (v) / frequency (f). Given that the speed of sound in water is 500 m/s and the frequency is 20 kHz (which is 20,000 Hz), you can calculate it as follows: λ = 500 m/s / 20,000 Hz = 0.025 m or 2.5 cm. This means the sound waves in water have a wavelength of 2.5 centimeters, which is surprisingly short! Sound waves in water behave differently than in air, mainly because water is denser. This density allows sound waves to travel faster and can also cause effects like increased clarity and reduced absorption at certain frequencies. For example, in marine environments, this means sonar and communication devices work exceptionally well, helping submarines and researchers analyze everything from fish populations to underwater topography!