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Wave Height For Total Wave Energy Per Unit Crest Width Of Solitary Wave Calculator

Solitary Wave Equation:

\[ H_w = \left( \frac{E}{\left( \frac{8}{3\sqrt{3}} \right) \cdot \rho_s \cdot [g] \cdot D_w^{3/2}} \right)^{2/3} \]

J/m
kg/m³
m

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1. What is the Solitary Wave Height Equation?

The solitary wave height equation calculates the height of a solitary wave based on total wave energy per unit crest width, density of salt water, and water depth. This equation is particularly useful in coastal engineering and oceanography for analyzing wave characteristics.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the solitary wave equation:

\[ H_w = \left( \frac{E}{\left( \frac{8}{3\sqrt{3}} \right) \cdot \rho_s \cdot [g] \cdot D_w^{3/2}} \right)^{2/3} \]

Where:

Explanation: The equation relates wave energy to wave height, accounting for water density and depth, using gravitational acceleration as a constant.

3. Importance of Wave Height Calculation

Details: Accurate wave height estimation is crucial for coastal structure design, navigation safety, and understanding wave energy distribution in marine environments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total wave energy in J/m, density of salt water in kg/m³, and water depth in meters. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a solitary wave?
A: A solitary wave is a single hump of water that propagates without changing its shape, often observed in shallow water conditions.

Q2: Why is salt water density important?
A: Salt water density affects wave propagation characteristics and energy distribution, typically ranging from 1020-1030 kg/m³ for seawater.

Q3: How does water depth affect wave height?
A: Water depth significantly influences wave behavior - shallower depths generally result in higher waves due to wave shoaling effects.

Q4: What are typical values for wave energy?
A: Wave energy varies widely but can range from thousands to millions of joules per meter depending on wave conditions and location.

Q5: Are there limitations to this equation?
A: This equation is specifically for solitary waves and may not accurately represent other wave types or complex wave interactions.

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