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The depth of moving water does not determine how fast it travels. Certainly shallow water will travel faster than deep water for the same volume of water moving past a point per unit of time. And if you think about it, it will become clear. Let's look at water in a pipe and make a comparison. Two pipes of different diameter have water moving through them. And the same volume of water is moving through both pipes per unit of time. The water in the smaller pipe will have to travel faster to get the same volume of it past a point in a given time as the larger pipe. Said another way, the water moving through the larger pipe won't be flowing as fast as the water in the smaller pipe to get the same flow rate (gallons/minute, or other measure). The same logic applies to streams or rivers. What we generally see is that large rivers move slowly, but that's generally because the slopedown which they run is small compared to smaller tributaries higher up. This, that is, the issue with the slope or gradient down which water is moving, is a geological phenomenon. We often seem smaller streams or rivers moving more quickly than larger ones. But we cannot make a blanket statement that shallow water moves more quickly than deep water. It may, or may not, depending on the circumstances.

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Which have would you expect to have the greatest wave speed?

A deep ocean wave would have the greatest wave speed due to the deep water allowing the wave to travel faster and with less interference than shallow water. The wave speed is directly related to the depth of the water, with deeper water allowing waves to move faster.


Do tsunamis travel faster over shallow water or deep water?

Tsunamis typically travel faster over deep water due to the reduced friction and resistance compared to shallow water. Once they reach shallow water near coastlines, they slow down and can increase in height as the energy is compressed.


About how fast do water waves travel across the sea?

Water waves can travel at different speeds depending on factors such as wind speed, wave height, and water depth. In deep water, wave speeds typically range from 10 to 50 kilometers per hour. Shallow water waves tend to move slower than those in deeper water.


How fast can a wave move?

The speed of a wave depends on the medium it is moving through. In general, sound waves travel at around 340 m/s in air, electromagnetic waves (such as light) travel at 300,000 km/s in a vacuum, and ocean waves can travel as fast as 750 km/h in deep water during a storm.


When deep water waves reach water shallower than one half of their wavelength they become what water waves?

When deep water waves approach water shallower than half their wavelength, they are transformed into shallow water waves. These waves have shorter wavelengths and slower speeds due to interacting with the sea floor, causing their amplitudes to increase as the water becomes shallower.

Related Questions

Which have would you expect to have the greatest wave speed?

A deep ocean wave would have the greatest wave speed due to the deep water allowing the wave to travel faster and with less interference than shallow water. The wave speed is directly related to the depth of the water, with deeper water allowing waves to move faster.


Do tsunamis travel faster over shallow water or deep water?

Tsunamis typically travel faster over deep water due to the reduced friction and resistance compared to shallow water. Once they reach shallow water near coastlines, they slow down and can increase in height as the energy is compressed.


Are tides deep water or shallow water waves?

Deep Water


About how fast do water waves travel across the sea?

Water waves can travel at different speeds depending on factors such as wind speed, wave height, and water depth. In deep water, wave speeds typically range from 10 to 50 kilometers per hour. Shallow water waves tend to move slower than those in deeper water.


What area between deep water waves and breaker zone?

The area between deep water waves and breaker zone is the euphotic zone


Can deep-water and shallow-water waves exist at the same point offshore?

Yes, deep-water and shallow-water waves can exist at the same point offshore. In areas where the water depth changes gradually, both types of waves can coexist in the same location. Deep-water waves occur in deeper waters where the water depth is greater than half the wavelength, while shallow-water waves occur in shallower waters where the water depth is less than half the wavelength.


How do fast tsunamis travel in deep water?

Fast tsunamis travel in deep water because they have long wavelengths and low amplitudes, allowing them to move quickly with minimal energy loss. The speed of a tsunami is determined by the depth of the water it is traveling through, with deeper water supporting faster wave propagation. Tsunamis are not affected by surface friction in deep water, which also contributes to their fast travel speed.


Under which circumstances do waves move faster?

Waves move faster in denser materials due to the increase in the speed of sound. This is because the particles in denser materials are closer together, allowing for quicker transmission of the wave energy. Additionally, waves can also move faster in materials with higher elasticity, as they can propagate more efficiently.


How fast can a wave move?

The speed of a wave depends on the medium it is moving through. In general, sound waves travel at around 340 m/s in air, electromagnetic waves (such as light) travel at 300,000 km/s in a vacuum, and ocean waves can travel as fast as 750 km/h in deep water during a storm.


Does a sail boat go faster in deep or sallow water?

Deep


When deep water waves reach water shallower than one half of their wavelength they become what water waves?

When deep water waves approach water shallower than half their wavelength, they are transformed into shallow water waves. These waves have shorter wavelengths and slower speeds due to interacting with the sea floor, causing their amplitudes to increase as the water becomes shallower.


How does sound travel in the air for us to hear?

The sound waves travel by vibrations, which are then percieved by the canals deep in your ear