Study Task 3

For this task, I read, and condensed into my own notes, my findings of:

1. Cenedese, C (2018), Wave [online], Available at: https://www.britannica.com/science/wave-water, Date Accessed: 20/10/20

2. James, S (2019), Wave Characteristics, Available at: https://www.eoas.ubc.ca/courses/atsc113/sailing/met_concepts/08-met-waves/8b-wave-characteristics/index.html, Date Accessed: 20/10/20

Summaries:

1. A wave is 'a ridge... on the surface of a body of water'. The 'undulations and oscillations may be chaotic and random, or they may be regular', depending on the characteristics and conditions the body of water is in. Wind triggers waves by forming small ripples on the water surface. When built up high enough, gravity causes the displaced ripples of water to be 'accelerated back toward the mean surface level'. Meanwhile the kinetic energy from the wave returning to this position causes an 'overshoot' and forms this 'oscillating wave motion', which are waves. Wind speed and distance it travels over water (the fetch) determines wave size/energy. Storms increase wind speed, hence why waves get more energy. Whitecaps are a regular feature of waves, created by the 'crests' of waves breaking, forming a white foam. 

2. Storm winds often combine with regular winds and pre-existing waves forming a 'confused sea' *. This is where waves grow at irregular heights to one another and move in different directions. Waves moving in a similar direction to the storm will get larger. Swell is waves created by distant storms far out at sea but these waves are much more ordered, with regular 'periods' **. Swell can add to 'confused seas' like when two swells collide, this produces 'diamond-shaped'/'hatched wave patterns', adding to the confusion created by winds and storms. 'Interference' occurs during storms 'when two waves run through each other' causing waves to 'add up or cancel out' (eg. 'constructive interference' - where two crests merge, they build to creating an unnaturally high 'rogue wave'. 'Destructive interference' - where a crest cancels out a trough). 

Diagram 1 *

Diagram 2 **

These articles relate directly to my research, in particular the practical element. With this I have a better understanding as to how waves move and behave in different climates (of which I am going to be creating both a rough and calm sea scene) as well as understanding how animators have got their own oceans to behave. I'm aware of the different features of a wave and will make sure to include these in my practical ocean test.