hydraulic jump
hydraulic jump
Sudden change in water level, analogous to a shock wave, commonly seen below weirs and sluice gates where a smooth stream of water suddenly rises at a foaming front. The fact that the speed of water waves varies with wavelength and with amplitude leads to a wide variety of effects. Tidal bores, which may be observed on some estuaries, are large-scale examples. See also Bernoulli's principle.
This entry comes from Encyclopædia Britannica Concise.
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