Generate waves to compare the movement of particles in waves at the deep and shallow ends of your tank.Sprinkle some sand into the deep section and some into the shallow section.Put one cork in the deep section, the other in the shallow section of the tank. Tie sinkers to the two other corks with monofilament line so that the corks hang near mid-water level.Place two free-floating corks on the water, one over the deeper section, and the other over the shallower section.Additional options for materials are listed in Table 4.10 of the Orbital Motion of Waves activity. Model particles at surface, bottom, and mid-water level in the deep and shallow ends of your tank.You may have to adjust the amount of water in the tank and the elevation of one end of the tank. Create and observe waves that begin in the deep side of the tank and break on the shore of the shallow end of the tank.Fill the wave tank with water so only two-thirds of the length of the tank is submerged.The paddle-stop will help you control the amount of water pushed by limiting the distance the paddle can move. Tape a third ruler 5 cm in front of the backstop as the paddle-stop.Tape a second ruler along the top edge of the wave tank (the yellow ruler in Fig.The backstop should be positioned to prevent the paddle from going past vertical. Tape one ruler to the end of the wave tank as a backstop.If the wave tank is heavy and/or the table is smooth, set the wave tank on a towel to increase friction and prevent it from sliding off.The height you will need to raise the table depends on the size of your tank. Place wood blocks or books to raise one end of the table the tank is sitting on.Set up the long wave tank as shown in Fig.

Immediately mop up all water spills to prevent slipping. Place towels around the tank to clean up any splashing water. Safety Note: When raising the wave tank, make sure the tank and table are secure.

Options for observing water movement at different depths

Pencil animation waves