Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: paul.fr on 25/02/2008 07:17:31

Title: Wave like water on the road.
Post by: paul.fr on 25/02/2008 07:17:31

After the rain has stopped, i sometimes notice the water moving down the road is 'wave like'. IE, it moves in waves, just like at the beach. Why is that?

Title: Wave like water on the road.
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 25/02/2008 07:59:37

Wind.

Title: Wave like water on the road.
Post by: lyner on 25/02/2008 09:19:07

I think it could also be because a thin layer moves slower than a thick layer of water over a rough surface. A randomly thicker region will soon catch up the slower bits and gather water with it, traveling faster in a runaway effect. It will leave behind a slower moving shallow bit.
Irregularities in the road surface can start turbulence which can set up a standing wave, too; there's a transition between laminar and turbulent flow.

Title: Wave like water on the road.
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 25/02/2008 15:26:28

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear. I wasn't offering that as an answer, it's what I suffer from  [:D]

Title: Wave like water on the road.
Post by: lyner on 25/02/2008 18:28:21

Poor chap.

Title: Wave like water on the road.
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 26/02/2008 07:46:17

Indeed (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Frude%2F9.gif&hash=1038824793d93f7358d50a75348b902c)

Title: Wave like water on the road.
Post by: Soul Surfer on 29/02/2008 23:10:32

I agree sophie and find the whole process of water moving over surfaces fascinating.  I feel that there may well be important things to learn here about the way things like the expansion of the universe started out