Understanding Water Depth and Velocity of a Tsunami
Dependent Variable:
Velocity of wave (wave velocity)
Constants:
Plastic storage container
Piece of wood
Height from which the wood is dropped and the way it is held before each time it is dropped
Gravel-like substance that creates an uneven bottom—this includes both its physical material and the amount of it that is placed on the bottom of the tank during each treatment
Time at which the stopwatch is started after the wooden block is dropped and a wave is created
Problem:
It is a known fact about tsunamis that if the level of the water is higher, then the velocity of the wave will be greater. How does an uneven bottom affect the velocity of tsunami waves at different water levels?
Hypothesis:
I believe that an uneven bottom will still result in the velocity of the wave being greater when the water level is higher.
5 MLA References with Annotations:
1. Michelle, Maranowski, PhD. “The Science Behind Tsunamis: Study the Effect of Water Depth on Wave Velocity.” Science Buddies. Science Buddies, 2005-2012. Web. 13 Sept 2012. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/OceanSci_p014.shtml#background • This electronic source inspired my project idea, and provided me with the materials and procedure that I would need to execute my project. In addition, it helped me understand exactly what the original project would be testing, and also how I could make it my own. 2. “What are Tsunamis?” CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation/Radio Canada, 29 Sept 2009. Web. 13 Sept 2012. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2009/09/29/f-tsunami-forces-of-nature.html
• This electronic source provided me with basic tsunami information. I believe that it is important to have as much information as possible about my topic, so that I am able to get the most out of my project and understand it to the fullest.
3. “Tsunamis.” National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 1996-2012. Web. 13 Sept 2012.
Velocity of wave (wave velocity)
Constants:
Plastic storage container
Piece of wood
Height from which the wood is dropped and the way it is held before each time it is dropped
Gravel-like substance that creates an uneven bottom—this includes both its physical material and the amount of it that is placed on the bottom of the tank during each treatment
Time at which the stopwatch is started after the wooden block is dropped and a wave is created
Problem:
It is a known fact about tsunamis that if the level of the water is higher, then the velocity of the wave will be greater. How does an uneven bottom affect the velocity of tsunami waves at different water levels?
Hypothesis:
I believe that an uneven bottom will still result in the velocity of the wave being greater when the water level is higher.
5 MLA References with Annotations:
1. Michelle, Maranowski, PhD. “The Science Behind Tsunamis: Study the Effect of Water Depth on Wave Velocity.” Science Buddies. Science Buddies, 2005-2012. Web. 13 Sept 2012. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/OceanSci_p014.shtml#background • This electronic source inspired my project idea, and provided me with the materials and procedure that I would need to execute my project. In addition, it helped me understand exactly what the original project would be testing, and also how I could make it my own. 2. “What are Tsunamis?” CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation/Radio Canada, 29 Sept 2009. Web. 13 Sept 2012. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2009/09/29/f-tsunami-forces-of-nature.html
• This electronic source provided me with basic tsunami information. I believe that it is important to have as much information as possible about my topic, so that I am able to get the most out of my project and understand it to the fullest.
3. “Tsunamis.” National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 1996-2012. Web. 13 Sept 2012.
References: 4. Luhr, James F. Earth. Smithsonian. Smithsonian Institution. New York, New York: DK Publishing, 2003. Print. (P. 123, 143, 151, 190, 192, 271, 429, 501) • This printed source helped me understand the different things that can cause a tsunami 5. Cramer, Deborah. Ocean. Smithsonian. Smithsonian Institution. New York, New York: Collins Publishing, 2008. Print. (P. 62) • This printed source was very helpful, because it showed me a tsunami 's effect on the whole ocean