Wave-tank study of internal waves
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Authors
Kordek, Walter A.
Subjects
Advisors
Wickham, J.B.
Date of Issue
1965
Date
1965
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
Internal waves, generated in an approximate two-layer system of miscible fluids by flow over a submarine ridge, were examined. The investigation was conducted in a wave tank 3.0 m long and 0.3 m wide in which total water depth varied between 7.3 cm and 15.2 cm.
To determine visually the interface deformations, the lower saline layer was colored with Rhodamine "B" dye. Neutrally buoyant particles, consisting of a solution of
carbon tetrachloride and benzene, were introduced in the vicinity of the pycnocline to indicate particle motion.
Subsequent particle motion and interface deformations were photographed with a 16 mm motion picture camera. Analysis of the film yielded particle trajectories and internal wave
characteristics such as wave-length, period, amplitude and phase velocity. The observed motions were compared with those predicted by internal wave theory. Observed phase velocities differed from the theoretical phase velocities in all cases, with a maximum difference in one case of 44 percent of theoretical value. The discrepancies may be due either to the superposition of the observed
progressive wave on a standing wave or to the observation of non-conserved wave crests in a
dispersive medium. However, observed phase velocities did decrease in magnitude with a decreasing layer density difference as predicted by theory.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Meteorology and Oceanography
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.