Wind, Wave, Size Sabrina Burnier’s Science Fair Experiment!

Big Question:Big Question: Does the strength of wind affect size of waves. Waves, specially in big lakes, seems to be affected by the force of the wind.

Hypothesis The stronger the wind is, the stronger the wave will be.The stronger the wind is, the stronger the wave will be. I believe that stronger winds will drive the waves to travel faster and have higher height, therefore having more power when reaching the shore.I believe that stronger winds will drive the waves to travel faster and have higher height, therefore having more power when reaching the shore.

Interesting Facts As the force of the wind grew, the waves also reached further into the shore.As the force of the wind grew, the waves also reached further into the shore. Spray from the water was also created by the wind.Spray from the water was also created by the wind. The angle of the wind hitting the water causes different effects.The angle of the wind hitting the water causes different effects. Depth also affected the experimentDepth also affected the experiment Objects are not pushed by the waves but by the wind.Objects are not pushed by the waves but by the wind. Sea Spray!

Experiment Materials: Paint TrayPaint Tray CementCement WaterWater SandSand Small fan or hair dryerSmall fan or hair dryer Spray PaintSpray PaintSteps: Create ocean floor with cement and sand in the paint tray.Create ocean floor with cement and sand in the paint tray. Spray paint parts of the paint tray, and mark depth and height in the inside wall of tray.Spray paint parts of the paint tray, and mark depth and height in the inside wall of tray. Add water to the deep part the trayAdd water to the deep part the tray Connect or place small fan in the front of the deep end of trayConnect or place small fan in the front of the deep end of tray Turn on the fan at a low speed. Observe the number of waves and size of waves.Turn on the fan at a low speed. Observe the number of waves and size of waves. Turn the fan to a higher speed and observer the number of waves and their sizes.Turn the fan to a higher speed and observer the number of waves and their sizes. Control group will contain similar tray without blowing fan Variable group will have a blowing fan

Observations Low wind speed caused small waves.Low wind speed caused small waves. High wind speed caused bigger waves.High wind speed caused bigger waves. Higher wind speed caused a lot of spray.Higher wind speed caused a lot of spray. Wind directed directly from above the water cause more ripples than waves.Wind directed directly from above the water cause more ripples than waves. An angle of 45 degrees seemed to be the best for wave creation.An angle of 45 degrees seemed to be the best for wave creation.

Data The paint tray acted as the shore. The distance from the end of the tray to the water line was measure against the force of the air as such: The height of the water level was measure from the bottom of the tray to the surface as such: force of airdistance 012 inches slow12.5 inches strong13.5 inches force of airsurface level 0 1 inch (flat) slow1 3/8 inches strong1 3/4 inches

Analysis of Data The experiment successfully tested the hypothesis. By measuring the height of the water and waves, and by measuring how far the water came up shore, it demonstrates the effect of the wind upon water.

Conclusion The hypothesis was correct. The wind has an effect on the creation of waves and their height and strength. I would use a bigger container and a bigger fan, with multiple speeds, to try to create different wind conditions.

References projects.com/forum/ projects.com/forum/