Does the amount of water affect the size of a wave?

Question

If the amount of water does affect the size of a wave, how can I build a model to show it?

Answer 1

Yes and no. Waves are not moving water, but they are moving energy. More energy, more wind speed and velocity equal bigger waves. Yes, in a small pond you are not going to see huge waves because of the small amount of water, but thats because not enough energy is created.

A simple experiment would be to take a pie pan and fill it about 3/4 with water. Put a drop of food coloring in the middle and blow on the surface of the water with a bent straw. This shows the direction of the energy and you can see how it moves.

Answer 2

Get 2 fish tanks. Fill one with 3 liters of water, fill the other with 6 liters of water. Build a device that will cause a wave (like a paddle on a spring), apply equal force to both, and measure the waves generated.

If I were a betting man, I'd say that if the force used is a constant, the larger amount of water will produce smaller waves (move stuff to move around). But your observations may be different.

Answer 3

I agree with Pragmatic and I also have seen wave simulation tanks at my engineering school. The "amount of water" that limits the wave size is the depth. In case you don't know (but care), water waves are circular currents of water (and atom of water does not travel with the wave, but as a wave passes by, it will go around an upright circle). If the current is blocked by the ocean floor, the wave topples and ends. That is why you have surf breaks near the shore and no in the middle of the ocean.

Answer 4

It does not, but you can build the experiment suggested by a previous answerer to prove it.
The only thing that would affect is how shallow the water is (if it is shallower than the wave height).