P4_4 Planet Kayakers

Abstract

During this paper we investigate how the different surface gravity [1] present on other bodies within our solar system affects the size and shape of hydraulic jumps in rivers. We find that the ratio of height to length of the hydraulic jump is a constant, to 3 significant figures. This is due to the fact that on bodies with low surface gravity the wave is taller but longer and for high surface gravity the wave is lower in height but shorter in length. We conclude that any body, apart from Jupiter as it violates the initial conditions needed to form a hydraulic jump, would create waves that could be surfed by kayakers and surfers.