Question

Tsunamis are dangerous! Scientists use the formula s=\sqrt(9.8d) to calculate the speed (s) of the tsunami (in meters per second ) based on the depth (d) of the ocean (in meters). The 9.8 refers to the acceleration of the tsunami due to gravity, in meters per second squared. What is the depth of the ocean (to the nearest meter) if the tsunami is moving at a speed of 320 meters per second?

Answer 1

Given that the speed of a tsunami is measured by the formula $s= \sqrt{9.8d}$.

Given that a tsunami is moving at a speed of 320 meters per second, then we have:

$320= \sqrt{9.8d} \\ \\ \Rightarrow9.8d=320^2=102,400 \\ \\ \Rightarrow d= \frac{102,400}{9.8} =10,448.98\ meters$

Therefore, the depth of the ocean is 10,448.98 meters.