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
- What does the picture show?
- What is colliding with the water?
- What are the effects of the collisions?
- How is the water moving in this picture?
- 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).
- 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.
- Estimate the absolute size of the height and width of the waves in millimeters.
- Do the waves have an additive effect? If so, show at least 2 examples on the picture.
- Do the waves have a cancelling effect? If so, show at least 2 examples on the picture.
- Would these waves affect the water transportation of humans or cargo? If so, how?
- 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?
- 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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