Will a Skimming Stone Travel Further on Calm or Wavy Water?

  • Thread starter Thread starter verdigris
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Lake
AI Thread Summary
A flat stone skimming across a lake will travel further on a calm water surface than on a wavy one. Waves do not provide horizontal momentum to the stone; instead, they reduce the time the stone is in contact with the water. The stone's distance is primarily influenced by its speed and trajectory rather than wave interaction. Historical research and military technology from WWII have explored the dynamics of skimming stones. The discussion emphasizes that calm surfaces are more favorable for achieving greater distances when skimming stones.
verdigris
Messages
118
Reaction score
0
If I skim a flat stone across a lake will it go further on a calm,flat,water surface or on a surface covered with waves i.e can the pebble pick up momentum from the waves if it travels at the right speed and trajectory?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
May be in the wavy water, the stone can go further. But it is not because the pebble picks up momentum from the wave. In fact it reduces the time the pebble contacts with water. The waves do not contribute any momentum to the stone in horizontal direction.
 
The researchers on that link have really done some work on skimming stones!
 

Thread 'The Physics of unloading sand from a barge'

I think it's easist first to watch a short vidio clip I find these videos very relaxing to watch .. I got to thinking is this being done in the most efficient way? The sand has to be suspended in the water to move it to the outlet ... The faster the water , the more turbulance and the sand stays suspended, so it seems to me the rule of thumb is the hose be aimed towards the outlet at all times .. Many times the workers hit the sand directly which will greatly reduce the water...
View full post »

Similar threads

I Rippled surface on lake ends abruptly
Replies
3
Views
1K
Can a glass of water be filled to its edge?
Replies
42
Views
6K
Lake Hydrology Physics: Observing Shoreline Changes
Replies
4
Views
2K
How do wind turbines do their thing?
Replies
9
Views
2K
Misunderstanding of Gravitational Potential Energy
Replies
7
Views
3K
Can Aquaponics Help Conserve Water in Times of Drought?
Replies
8
Views
2K
How does a light wave change when travelling from water to air?
Replies
4
Views
1K
B Can a Fire Tornado Flip an 8 Ton Truck?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Moving object using buoyancy for project -- Help appreciated
Replies
2
Views
2K
What forces are at play when a sculptor's punch is used to carve stone?
Replies
26
Views
8K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top