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Waves and fractals

The goal of this research project is to determine the fractal nature, if any, which
surface water waves exhibit when viewed on a microscopic scale. Due to the
relatively recent development of this area of mathematics, a brief introduction to the
study of fractal geometry, as well as several examples of fractals, are included in
this paper. From that point, this paper addresses the specific situation of a surface
wave as it nears the breaking point and attempts to detect the fractal structure of a
wave at this given point when viewed on a microscopic scale. This is done from
both a physical standpoint based on observations at the Hinsdale Wave Facility at
Oregon State University and at Cape Perpetua, Oregon on the Pacific Coast, and
from a theoretical standpoint based on a spring model. / Graduation date: 1992

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/37013
Date05 December 1991
CreatorsGilliland, Crystal L.
ContributorsGuenther, Ronald B.
Source SetsOregon State University
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis/Dissertation

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