On Surface Gravity Wave Energies

Abstract

Kinetic and potential energies of a propagating surface gravity wave are calculated for the orbiting fluid particles. These energies are then compared with the respective standard theoretical quantities. Based on earlier work, it is concluded that the two sets of energies will not agree. To substantiate the prediction observations are needed, or a new theory for the depth decay rate of the particle orbits would work. Considerably less algebraic effort is involved in the present analysis than what was done in the past.