The speed of water waves is affected by the depth of the water because of a phenomenon called refraction. Refraction is the bending of a wave as it moves from one medium to another. In this case, as water waves move from deeper water to shallower water, they encounter a change in the medium and thus experience refraction, causing their speed to decrease.
The depth of water affects the speed of water waves because it determines the amount of refraction that occurs. As waves travel from deeper water to shallower water, the change in the medium causes them to bend and slow down. The shallower the water, the more pronounced this effect is and the greater the decrease in speed.
No, the decrease in speed of water waves as depth decreases is not primarily due to friction. While friction does play a role in reducing the speed of water waves, it is not the main factor. Refraction is the main cause for the decrease in speed, as it occurs due to the change in medium and the resulting bending of the waves.
Yes, the decrease in speed of water waves does affect their wavelength. According to the formula for wave speed, wavelength is inversely proportional to wave speed. This means that as the speed of water waves decreases, their wavelength increases. This can be observed in shallower water, where the wavelength of waves is longer compared to deeper water.
No, the speed of water waves cannot be increased in shallower water. As mentioned before, refraction causes the waves to slow down as they move from deeper water to shallower water. However, the speed of water waves can be increased by changing the medium they are traveling through, such as using a different type of water with a higher density.
