Req 7e — Build a Wave Tank

This option lets you see wave behavior instead of just imagining it. A ripple tank or shallow wave tray can make reflection, refraction, and the effect of coastal structures visible in just a few minutes.

Build a Simple Wave Generator

A shallow clear tray, pan, or plastic bin can work as your tank. You need enough water to make small waves and enough room to place barriers or sloping bottoms.

You can generate waves by:

• gently tapping the water with a flat piece of plastic
• moving a small board up and down
• using repeated finger taps at one end

Reflection

Reflection happens when a wave hits a barrier and bounces back. In your tank, a straight wall or block can show reflected wave patterns.

Refraction

Refraction happens when waves change speed and direction because part of the wave enters shallower water first. In your tank, you can place a shallow object under one side of the wave path to bend the incoming wave fronts.

Coastal Structures

Groins

A groin sticks out from shore and is meant to trap sand moving along the beach.

Jetties

Jetties are larger structures, often built near inlets or harbors, to help control water flow and reduce sediment buildup in channels.

Breakwaters

A breakwater is built offshore or near shore to reduce wave energy in the protected area behind it.

In your model, use blocks or barriers to represent these structures and watch how wave patterns change around them.

The final Req 7 option steps away from tanks and models and uses satellite images to study change from above.