Wave Propagation and Wake Boarding

Since the title of my blog is 'Recreational Physics' I figure I ought to post something related to both physics and recreation. But really, what is more recreational than physics?

Over labor day weekend, about two weeks ago, I went to the Tri-Cities to participate in "Dan Ekstrom's Boating Extravaganza", at least that's what I called it. It's something his church does; they come with a bunch of boats and people up to Richland to go tubing, water skiing, wake boarding and the like. It was a good opportunity for me to go see Dan, much better than having to make the drive all the way to Oregon.

I went wake boarding and tubing and had a great time. I was sore for a week afterwards. But it was a good break. It's not often I get to spend time doing crazy fun stuff with non-physicists.

Since I am a physicist to the core, I was constantly thinking about physics while we were on the water. In two of my classes we have been talking about wave propagation, so I couldn't help watching the waves and thinking about their physical properties and how they were propagating. Terms like group velocity, phase velocity, wave packet, impedance, and the k vector kept popping into my mind. Have you ever looked at the wake of a boat and wondered how much energy is being transmitted by the waves in the wake and how much is lost through dissipation? I don't know the answer, but key is in the asking.

Now you may think that all this physics thinking was keeping me from enjoying my break. On the contrary, I enjoyed myself all the more. I derive a lot of joy from being able to take what I learn in the cold environment of the classroom and see it manifested in the real world. Although the wave mechanics of the wake of a boat may have no practical applications, it is a real world system where the physics learned from a book can be seen.

Of course, taken to far, this could turn into me taking my work home; which is something I want to avoid. As long as I can keep my physical observations recreational when I'm not at work, my obsession with physics should remain healthy. In our fast-paced, work oriented culture I want to make the extra effort to partition my life between work and play so that if I ever have a family, they will not have to compete with my work for the center of my life.

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the trip; you'll just have to use your imagination. Dan said I had some great wipe-outs. Which was exactly what I hoped for, though one face-plant is enough for anyone. If I go again next year, I'll do my best to remember the camera, I promise.