Science of Wakes: Low Pressure Region Explained

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In summary, wakes are disturbances created on the surface of water by moving objects such as boats and ships. While there are different types of wakes, the Kelvin wake pattern is the most commonly observed and consists of two wake lines forming a V shape with transverse curved waves in between. These wakes are considered undesirable because they represent a large amount of energy being wasted. Additionally, they are generally low pressure regions due to the drag force of the water acting on the moving object. However, recent research has shown that wakes generated in plasmas and other structures can have potential applications in areas such as particle acceleration.
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kundukoustav
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we all know wakes are very much undesirable. Also, wakes are of generally very low pressure region. Why is is so? Discussions are welcome
 
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kundukoustav, we all do not know wakes are very much undesirable. Will you please say why they are?

I see plenty of ship wakes while exploring on Google Earth. (Try in the Suez Canal, for example...there are some great ship wake examples to see.) I can't understand why you say they are "of generally very low pressure region". How can that be? Will you please explain that for me also? Thank you.
Bobbywhy
 
  • #3
Consider a car moving! check the drag force (pressure drag) of air on the car! You will get the idea!
 
  • #4
The wake behind a moving ship is more than hydrodynamic drag. That's not a sufficient description of the wake-forming mechanism.
 
  • #5
kundukoustav said:
we all know wakes are very much undesirable. Also, wakes are of generally very low pressure region. Why is is so? Discussions are welcome

This is not always true. Wakes generated in a plasma are now being used to generate high gradients as part of a research for the next generation of particle accelerators.

http://physicsworld.com/cws/article...a-wakefield-turbocharges-particle-accelerator

Other groups are using wakefields generated in metallic and dielectric structures.

Zz.
 
  • #6
A wake (from a boat and probably from any other source too) is surely a wave. The energy in it takes a long time to dispel because, once it has settled down, it has a straight wave front. Until it comes to a discontinuity (shallow water) it hardly disperses at all. It represents a huge proportion of the ship's engine output, I think.
 
  • #7
kundukoustav, You must have noticed by now there are several kinds of wakes. The wakefield accelerator has great promise. From your mistaken comparison with aerodynamic drag on a car I am assuming you are referring to boat or ship wakes.

"Wake pattern of a boat:
Waterfowls and boats moving across the surface of water produce a wake pattern, first explained mathematically by Lord Kelvin and known today as the Kelvin wake pattern. This pattern consists of two wake lines that form the arms of a V, with the source of the wake at the point. Each wake line is offset from the path of the wake source by around 19° and is made up with feathery wavelets that are angled at roughly 53° to the path. The interior of the V is filled with transverse curved waves, each of which is an arc of a circle centered at a point lying on the path at a distance twice that of the arc to the wake source."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake

For a more detailed analysis of steel ship wakes see:
http://www.steelnavy.com/WavePatterns.htm
 

1. What is the science behind wakes and the low pressure region?

The science behind wakes and the low pressure region is based on the principle of Bernoulli's equation. This states that as the velocity of a fluid (such as air) increases, the pressure decreases. In the case of wakes, a moving object (such as a boat or airplane) creates an area of low pressure behind it due to the increased velocity of air. This low pressure region can have significant effects on the surrounding environment.

2. How does the low pressure region in wakes affect the surrounding water or air?

The low pressure region in wakes creates a disturbance in the surrounding water or air, causing it to move in a specific direction. This can be seen by the visible wake behind a boat or the turbulence behind an airplane. The movement of the water or air can have effects on other objects and organisms in the environment, such as altering the flow of nutrients or affecting the flight of birds.

3. Can the low pressure region in wakes be harmful to the environment?

While the low pressure region in wakes can have various impacts on the environment, it is not necessarily harmful. In fact, the movement of water and air caused by the low pressure region can be beneficial in some cases, such as dispersing pollutants or creating oxygen-rich areas for aquatic organisms. However, if the wakes are excessive or concentrated in a specific area, they can potentially disrupt the natural balance of the environment.

4. How can the low pressure region in wakes be minimized?

There are several ways to minimize the low pressure region in wakes and reduce its effects on the environment. One method is to change the shape of the object creating the wake, such as designing boats or airplanes with more streamlined shapes. Another approach is to slow down the speed of the object, as the pressure difference between the high and low pressure regions decreases with lower velocities.

5. Is there ongoing research on the science of wakes and the low pressure region?

Yes, there is ongoing research on the science of wakes and the low pressure region. Scientists are continuously studying how wakes affect the environment and developing methods to mitigate their impacts. Additionally, there is ongoing research on the development of more efficient and environmentally-friendly designs for boats and airplanes, which could potentially reduce the low pressure region in wakes.

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