Mutable Surface

The Science

The constantly varied nature of water’s surface in response to earth, air and gravity is a source of fascination. A variety of wave forms describe the unseen: larger waves respond to the changing depth of the land below often crashing on shores. Or smaller capillary waves are created as the wind riffles across its surface or in response to an object like a paddle, raindrop, or even an insect. Large periodic waves have an S shape that repeats over regular time and spatial intervals. These waves transfer energy. Varied waves called capillary are small surface-level waves with a rounded crest and v-shaped trough. These have a short wavelength that is influenced by the water’s surface tension rather than gravity.