Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

What is the best way to measure the height of a wave after dropping blocks into water? My thought was to put a piece of construction paper in the water. Then drop teh block into water and the height of the wave is on the paper separarted by the water line which is darker. What do you think the best way is?

The colored construction paper might work. You might consider using a very thin strip of paper and orienting it such that it is presenting the 'thickness' of the paper to the direction of the oncoming wave rather than 'broadsiding' a larger piece of paper that would introduce a false reading as the wave inertia caused the water to 'ride up' the paper. Try this to minimize error in your reading. Good luck. Hope this helps.

Rick Marz

If you are creating the waves in a container with high sides, you could also just see how high the wave is able to make the side of the container "wet."

However, this may depend on how you are creating the wave, since the side of the wave may not go as high as the middle of the wave. This could be an interesting component to your project.

What exactly are you conducting an experiment on?