15.1.6. Surface Water Wave Speed

Try these first

1. 1.

   What does the Froude number compare?

   Hint

   Think about the forces involved in fluid mechanics.

2. 2.

   What is the formula for wave speed in open channels?

   Hint

   Recall that g is acceleration due to gravity and y represents flow depth.

3. 3.

   What happens to wave speed when flow depth increases?

   • It increases
   • It decreases
   • It stays the same

   Hint

   Think about how gravity and depth interact.

4. 4.

   True or False: In subcritical flow, disturbances can propagate upstream.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   What does the Froude number indicate about these flows?

5. 5.

   Consider a canal where the flow depth is 2 meters. Calculate the wave speed and explain how changes in flow depth would affect it.

   Hint

   Think about how the value of y changes the wave speed.

6. 6.

   Design a scenario where the Froude number is equal to 1. What happens to disturbances in this flow state?

   Hint

   Reference the balance of forces in critical flow.