Abstract
A simple theory is developed for rough seas in which the energy cascade towards small scales is too much for a surface tension dominated wrinkling of the surface to handle. We suggest that a new phase, consisting of an air-water foam, is created and becomes the principal medium for energy dissipation. The foam depth and droplet size are calculated and we suggest how the predicted dependence on energy flux and surface tension could be verified experimentally.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1149-1151 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Physical review letters |
Volume | 69 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1992 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy