Physics of Surfing - Spring Break, 2021
(http://topex.ucsd.edu/ps)

Meet North of Munk Lab, Scripps Inst. of Oceanography
(See map on how to get to the Munk Lab - north side. )

David Sandwell  -  Scripps Inst. Of Oceanography -  dsandwell@ucsd.edu


This 4-day course will cover three topics in physics related to surfing: 1) generation, propagation, and breaking of waves; 2) the energetics of a surfer riding a wave; and 3) the fluid mechanics of a surfboard. Students will participate in outdoor experiments using the accelerometer and GPS receiver built into a smart phone. Students will present their findings on the final day. Prerequisite: Some physics or calculus and willingness to learn Matlab programming.
 
A break from classes to learn how waves break
Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times, May 3, 2009

Surfing to Academic Success
Physics of Surfing Class Introduces Students to Research
Ioana Patringenaru,  June 16, 2008


TUESDAY
Introductions - Tour of Scripps - IGPP, Pier, Beach
Scheduled: Mar 23, 2021 at 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Break for Lunch - Movie - "Waves Across the Pacific"
Scheduled: Mar 23, 2021 at 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Lab 1 - Introductions to experiments, Matlab on iPhone
Scheduled: Mar 23, 2021 at 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM


WEDNESDAY
Lecture on waves - "What makes Blacks so good?"
Scheduled: Mar 24, 2021 at 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Postdocs presentations,  Katherine Guns - background, research
Scheduled: Mar 24, 2021 at 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Break for Lunch
Scheduled: Mar 24, 2021 at 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Lab-2 - Groups collect data
Scheduled: Mar 24, 2021 at 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM


THURSDAY
Lecture - "Energetics of a surfer"
Scheduled: Mar 25, 2021 at 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Graduate students presentations - background, research
Scheduled: Mar 25, 2021 at 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Break for Lunch
Scheduled: Mar 25, 2021 at 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Lab-3 - Analyze data and prepare presentation
Scheduled: Mar 25, 2021 at 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM


FRIDAY
Lab-3 - Analyze data and prepare presentation
Scheduled: Mar 26, 2021 at 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Pizza lunch - Student presentations
Scheduled: Mar 26, 2021 at 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Student presentations - continued
Scheduled: Mar 26, 2021 at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM



 EXPERIMENTS - 2-3 students in each group (links to examples provided below)

Vibrational modes of cables on the SIO footbridge - EXP27

Normal mode vibrations of longboard and short board - EXP24

Elevator accelerations, velocities, and displacements - EXP17

Accelerations of object falling from pier - EXP28 - EXP22

Surfer paddle speed: shortboard vs. longboard - EXP26

Wave ride speed and accelerations - EXP21