Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi!

My 3rd grader is a big swimming fan and wants to do his science fair project on how waves are created in the water. My thought was to use a rectangle container with water and use a small blower see the waves. Try it on cold water as well as warm water and see if the waves change by temperature. Any ideas that may make this project better would be appreciated.

Thanks

Hi there,

What a great way to follow up with your son's interests! Wind-blown waves are one type of wave that you can see in any body of water - lakes, rivers, and the ocean. I like the idea of seeing whether temperature might change the waves. Make sure to think of ways to measure the differences - height of the waves, or speed. The speed could be measured by following a single wave from one marking on the box to another, and timing how long it takes for that wave to move between the points.

Here are a couple Science Buddies projects related to waves. You can see whether your son is interested in the concepts of these projects, and can modify them for his level.
The Moon and Tides: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p009.shtml
Building Beaches: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p011.shtml

For future ideas, here are a couple projects related to swimming and hydrodynamics:
Drag Racing in the Water: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p052.shtml
The Swimming Secrets of Duck Feet: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p014.shtml

I hope this helps. Please post again (in this same thread) if you have more questions.

Heather