Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 10, 2026

Induction of Microstreaming by Nonspherical Bubble Oscillations in an Acoustic Levitation System
Published on: May 9, 2021
On the formation of current ripples
J Bartholdy1, V B Ernstsen1, B W Flemming2
1Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1305 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
For grain sizes finer than coarse sand, the first flow-transverse bedforms to develop are current ripples. Although numerous studies have analysed different aspects of bedform morphodynamics, to date no comprehensive physical explanation for the formation of ripples has been given. We offer such an explanation based on a virtual boundary layer concept, and present a model predicting ripple height on the basis of grain size, current velocity and water depth. The model contradicts the conventional view of current ripples as bedforms not scaling with flow depth. Furthermore, it confirms the dependence of ripple dimensions on grain size, and their relative insensitivity to flow strength.
Related Concept Videos
Travelling Waves
Water waves, sound waves, and seismic waves are some examples of mechanical waves. For water waves, the wave propagation medium is...
Reflection of Waves
Standing Waves
Interference and Diffraction
Propagation of Waves
Consider a scenario where a wave propagates from a string of low linear mass density to a string of high linear mass density. In such a case, the reflected wave is out of phase with respect to the incident wave, however the...
Oscillations In An LC Circuit

