On capillary-gravity waves generated by a slow moving object
Abstract
We investigate theoretically and experimentally the capillary-gravity waves created by a small object moving steadily at the water-air interface along a circular trajectory. It is well established that, for straight uniform motion, no steady waves appear at velocities below the minimum phase velocity . We show theoretically that no such velocity threshold exists for a steady circular motion, for which, even at small velocities, a finite wave drag is experienced by the object. This wave drag originates from the emission of a spiral-like wave pattern. Our results are in good agreement with direct experimental observations of the wave pattern created by a circularly moving needle in contact with water. Our study leads to new insights into the problem of animal locomotion at the water-air interface.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0704.3990,
title = {On capillary-gravity waves generated by a slow moving object},
author = {Alexei Chepelianskii and Frédéric Chevy and Elie Raphael},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0704.3990},
year = {2009}
}