Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2024

DOI

10.1119/5.0167973

Publication Title

The Physics Teacher

Volume

62

Issue

4

Pages

317

Abstract

This article discusses the phenomenon of roll waves, which are shock-like patterns separated by smooth profiles that occur in flood waves. The author mentions that in a steady-state situation, the drag forces on the water in the channel are balanced by the down-slope gravitational force. The article also includes questions for readers to estimate the speed and length of the roll waves, as well as determine the stability of the flow. The author provides additional information about the Chezy formula, an empirical equation used in fluid mechanics to estimate the mean flow velocity of open channel flow.

Rights

© Copyright 2026 AIP Publishing LLC. All rights reserved.

This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and AIP Publishing. This article appeared in

Adam, J. (2024). Cats, dogs, and roll waves. The Physics Teacher, 62(4), 317. 

and may be found at https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0167973

Original Publication Citation

Adam, J. (2024). Cats, dogs, and roll waves. The Physics Teacher, 62(4), 317. https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0167973

ORCID

0000-0001-5537-2889 (Adam)

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