Calculate the Velocity of Wave Propagation: Gull in the Ocean

We are asked to find $v_{\text{w}}$. The given information tells us that $\lambda =\text{10}\text{.}0\mathrm{<mspace\; width="0.25em"><mtext>m</mtext></mspace>}$ and $T=5\text{.}\text{00}\text{s}$. Therefore, we can use $v_{\text{w}}=\frac{\lambda }{T}$ to find the wave velocity.

1. Enter the known values into $v_{\text{w}}=\frac{\lambda }{T}$:
   $$v_{\text{w}}=\frac{\text{10.0 m}}{5\text{.00 s}}.$$

   16.68
2. Solve for $v_{\text{w}}$ to find $v_{\text{w}}\text{= 2.00 m/s.}$

This slow speed seems reasonable for an ocean wave. Note that the wave moves to the right in the figure at this speed, not the varying speed at which the sea gull moves up and down.