Effects of Waves in Water Transportation

The movement of water is more complex in reality than in the lab. Take a moment to write a list of phenomena which affect water transportation in real waterways, compared to a simple lab experiment in a tub.

Now, consider the picture of water in a natural reservoir below.

Discussion Questions

1. What does the picture show? 
2. What is colliding with the water? 
3. What are the effects of the collisions?
4. How is the water moving in this picture?
5. Are these phenomena small or large? Name several comparison objects in the same order of magnitude (e.g., a leaf, a fishing boat, an ocean liner).
6. Consider the waves in the picture more closely. Estimate the ratio of sizes of the waves, comparing the largest and smallest waves in height and width.
7. Estimate the absolute size of the height and width of the waves in millimeters.
8. Do the waves have an additive effect? If so, show at least 2 examples on the picture.
9. Do the waves have a cancelling effect? If so, show at least 2 examples on the picture.
10. Would these waves affect the water transportation of humans or cargo? If so, how?
11. How do the motion of waves in an ocean compare to the waves in this picture? Do these waves affect transportation of humans or cargo? If so, how? 
12. What is the order of magnitude of difference between the waves in this picture and waves in a river? In an ocean? Use a reference book, if necessary.

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Science of Transportation Memorabilia

Celebrate the science of transportation with memorabilia from Zazzle! Colorful graphs from Schottenbauer Publishing are featured on these mugs, magnets, keychains, & postcards. Graphs features the motion of a car, train, rocket, parachute, falling plastic bag, and ball floating in water. A direct link is included below:

A variety of other STEM education collections are also available from Schottenbauer Publishing on Zazzle, which features regular sales on most items.  

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Boats in Artificial & Real Conditions

Similar patterns of motion can be found in the laboratory and in real-life conditions. Real life often demonstrates greater chaos, however, due to the complex effects of environmental conditions such as weather.

The graphs below, excerpted from The Science of Floating & Boating: Volume 3 from Schottenbauer Publishing, show the differences between floating in laboratory conditions and in a natural (outdoor) reservoir.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the range of force on the bowl?
2. In what direction is most of the motion? How this be determined?
3. How many times does the bowl go up and down?  If unsure, state an answer with margin of error (e.g., 10±2).
4. What type of mathematical function is shown by the bowl: (a) linear, (b) parabolic, (c) sinusoidal.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the range of force on the boat?
2. In what direction is most of the motion? How this be determined?
3. How many times does the boat go up and down?  If unsure, state an answer with margin of error (e.g., 10±2).
4. What type of mathematical function is shown by the boat: (a) linear, (b) parabolic, (c) sinusoidal.
5. Why is there greater variation in force and acceleration in this graph, compared to the graph of the bowl in the laboratory?
6. Write a few sentences comparing the graphs. Specifically, identify whether there is anything unusual or unexpected about these two graphs.

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Automobile Collisions in the Lab

Automobile collisions can be studied safely in the laboratory, demonstrating force and acceleration with model cars. The graph below is excerpted from The Science of Cars: Volume 2 from Schottenbauer Publishing.

Discussion Questions

1. Is the accelerometer on the car or the Hummer? How can this be determined?
2. What is the maximum acceleration?
3. What is the maximum force?
4. How many collisions are shown in the graph?
5. For each collision, state the acceleration and force involved in the collision.
6. Calculate the average acceleration and average force across all collisions.
7. Estimate the average force and average acceleration prior to the collisions.
8. Write a proportion which relates the average force of impact to the average force prior to the collision. 
9. Write a proportion which relates the average acceleration at impact to the average acceleration prior to the collision.
10. Does the angle of collision affect the impact? How?

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The Acceleration of Parachutes

Parachutes offer a good opportunity for learning about acceleration and gravity. The following graph, excerpted from The Science of Flight: Volume 2 from Schottenbauer Publishing, shows a parachute in motion:

Discussion Questions

1. What is the original height of the parachute? The maximum height? The final height?
2. What is the final acceleration of the parachute? Describe the acceleration in relation to gravity.
3. Describe the pattern of acceleration of the parachute, from beginning to end of the flight.
4. What is the maximum force exerted on the parachute? Is the maximum force associated with throwing the parachute, or the parachute deploying in air?
5. Describe the sequence of deployment of the parachute. Why does the height change in an up-down-up pattern, rather than simply going up and down?
6. Describe the entire flight of the parachute, from beginning to ending, in words.

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The Hard Truth Regarding Gravity and Flight

In physical science and physics class, students learn that all objects fall at the same rate due to gravity. When learning that force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma), many students may question the assertion, due to many apparent contradictions. Here are a few:

• Why does a leaf fall slowly, while a ball falls quickly?
• Why does a parachute slow the rate of descent?
• Why do space rockets not fall back to earth when the engines stop?

Although there is no data about space travel in the book series Soar! The Science of Flight, there are plenty of graphs on the motion of objects moving in the lab:

Volume 1

• String Trolley
• Umbrella
• Plastic Bag
• Ball
• Pen
• Yardstick
• Paper Airplanes
• Radio-Controlled Helicopter

Volume 2

• Air Rocket
• Parachute
• Glider
• Kite

By comparing graphs of motion, students can estimate the effects of air resistance on various types of falling objects. In addition, direct measurement of force by an accelerometer are provided in some graphs within each book above, showing the acceleration due to gravity versus acceleration which describes changes in motion.

The following books from Schottenbauer Publishing contain graphs and data pertaining to the science of falling or flying objects:

Graphs & Data for Science Lab: Multi-Volume Series

• The Science of Flight
• The Science of Archery & Shooting Sports
• The Science of Balls
• Sampler Edition: 24 Sports Balls Bouncing, Rolling, & Flying
• Volumes 3, 6, & 7
• Volume 8: Assorted Balls
• The Science of Baseball
• Gravity, Springs, & Collisions: Graphs of Classical Physics Experiments

Anthologies of 28 Graphs

• The Science of Transportation
• The Science of Ball Sports

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