Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: acecharly on 08/04/2012 20:12:23

Title: Bathtub waterspout question ?
Post by: acecharly on 08/04/2012 20:12:23

After taking a bath the other day I watched the water going down the spout (as you do  :D ) and i noticed something ive neve seen before. Aside fom the usual spiraling effect as the water flowed downed the spout the ceiling light created shadows of approximately 10-15 perfectly straight lines radiating out from the spiraling water.

Any ideas what this is and is this similar to how stars that orbit a galaxy rotate similar on the outside as they do close to the center unlike how our planets orbit our sun at longer durations depending how far out they are?

Title: Re: Bathtub waterspout question ?
Post by: RD on 08/04/2012 22:18:45

Quote from: acecharly on 08/04/2012 20:12:23

... the ceiling light created shadows of approximately 10-15 perfectly straight lines radiating out from the spiraling water.

an interference effect of water waves (ripples) can cause what appears to be radial shadows ...

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Rippletanksource1plus2supositionBnW.gif)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ripple_tank

Title: Re: Bathtub waterspout question ?
Post by: acecharly on 09/04/2012 11:27:19

Ahhhh ....Brilliant...!!!! never thought of that, great answer, finally ive observed my very own interference pattern.