![]() This depth is the wave base and is equivalent to half of the wavelength (Figure 10.1.4). Eventually at some depth there is no more circular movement and the water is unaffected by surface wave action. The circular orbital motion declines with depth as the wave has less impact on deeper water and the diameter of the circles is reduced. The bird bobs up and down as the wave pass underneath it it does not get carried horizontally by a single wave crest.įigure 10.1.3 Animation showing the orbital motion of particles in a surface wave (By Kraaiennest (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons). This is evident if you have ever watched an object such as a seabird floating at the surface. As a wave passes, water moves forwards and up over the wave crests, then down and backwards into the troughs, so there is little horizontal movement. This orbital motion occurs because water waves contain components of both longitudinal (side to side) and transverse (up and down) waves, leading to circular motion. Instead, the water particles move in circular orbits, with the size of the orbit equal to the wave height (Figure 10.1.3). Therefore, the longer the wavelength, the faster the wave.Īlthough waves can travel over great distances, the water itself shows little horizontal movement it is the energy of the wave that is being transmitted, not the water.
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