Derivation of the Depth Function

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 15 views

The Depth of the Water at the End of a Pier: A Mathematical Analysis of Tides

The depth of the water at the end of a pier is a crucial factor that affects various activities such as fishing, boating, and even the structural integrity of the pier itself. One of the primary factors that influence the depth of the water is the tides. Tides are the periodic rising and falling of the sea level caused by the gravitational interaction between the Earth and the Moon, as well as the Sun. In this article, we will delve into the mathematical analysis of tides and how they affect the depth of the water at the end of a pier.

Tides are a complex phenomenon that involves the interaction of several celestial bodies. The primary cause of tides is the gravitational pull of the Moon on the Earth's oceans. The Moon's gravity causes the water in the oceans to bulge out in two areas: one on the side of the Earth facing the Moon and the other on the opposite side of the Earth. This creates two high tides and two low tides each day.

To analyze the depth of the water at the end of a pier, we need to develop a mathematical model that takes into account the effects of tides. Let's assume that the depth of the water at the end of the pier is given by the function:

h(t) = 2.5 + A * sin(2 * π * t / T)

where:

h(t) is the depth of the water at time t
A is the amplitude of the tide (i.e., the maximum depth of the water)
T is the period of the tide (i.e., the time between two consecutive high or low tides)
π is a mathematical constant approximately equal to 3.14

We are given the following data:

Low tides occur at 12:00 am and 12:30 pm with a depth of 2.5 m.
High tides occur at 6:15 am and 6:45 am with a depth of 5.5 m.

Using the given data, we can find the amplitude and period of the tide. Let's assume that the tide is sinusoidal, meaning that it can be represented by a sine function. We can use the following equations to find the amplitude and period:

A = (h_max - h_min) / 2

where h_max is the maximum depth of the water and h_min is the minimum depth of the water.

T = 2 * π * (t_max - t_min) / (2 * n)

where t_max is the time of the maximum depth, t_min is the time of the minimum depth, and n is the number of cycles of the tide.

Using the given data, we can calculate the amplitude and period of the tide:

A = (5.5 - 2.5) / 2 = 1.5 m

T = 2 * π * (6:45 am - 12:00 am) / (2 * 2) = 12.4 hours

Now that we have found the amplitude and period of the tide, we can solve for the depth function:

h(t) = 2.5 + 1.5 * sin(2 * π * t / 12.4)

To visualize the depth function, we can plot it using a graphing tool. The resulting plot will show the depth of the water at the end of the pier as a function of time.

In this article, we have analyzed the depth of the water at the end of a pier using a mathematical model of tides. We have developed a sinusoidal function to represent the depth of the water as a function of time and have used the given data to find the amplitude and period of the tide. The resulting depth function can be used to predict the depth of the water at the end of the pier at any given time.

[1] "Tides and Sea Level" by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
[2] "Mathematics of Tides" by the American Mathematical Society (AMS)

Derivation of the Depth Function
Numerical Methods for Solving the Depth Function

To derive the depth function, we can use the following steps:

Assume that the depth of the water at the end of the pier is given by a sinusoidal function.
Use the given data to find the amplitude and period of the tide.
Substitute the amplitude and period into the sinusoidal function to obtain the depth function.

To solve the depth function numerically, we can use the following methods:

Euler's Method: This method involves approximating the solution of the depth function using a series of small time steps.
Runge-Kutta Method: This method involves approximating the solution of the depth function using a series of small time steps and a weighted average of the previous and current estimates.

Here is some sample code in Python to solve the depth function numerically using Euler's method:

import numpy as np

def depth_function(t, A, T):
    return 2.5 + A * np.sin(2 * np.pi * t / T)

def euler_method(t0, t_end, dt, A, T):
    t = np.arange(t0, t_end, dt)
    h = np.zeros(len(t))
    h[0] = depth_function(t[0], A, T)
    for i in range(1, len(t)):
        h[i] = h[i-1] + dt * depth_function(t[i-1], A, T)
    return t, h

# Given data
t0 = 0
t_end = 24
dt = 0.1
A = 1.5
T = 12.4

# Solve the depth function numerically
t, h = euler_method(t0, t_end, dt, A, T)

# Plot the result
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot(t, h)
plt.xlabel('Time (hours)')
plt.ylabel('Depth (m)')
plt.title('Depth of the Water at the End of the Pier')
plt.show()

This code solves the depth function numerically using Euler's method and plots the result. The resulting plot shows the depth of the water at the end of the pier as a function of time.
Q&A: The Depth of the Water at the End of a Pier

In our previous article, we analyzed the depth of the water at the end of a pier using a mathematical model of tides. We developed a sinusoidal function to represent the depth of the water as a function of time and used the given data to find the amplitude and period of the tide. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about the depth of the water at the end of a pier.

A: The primary cause of tides is the gravitational pull of the Moon on the Earth's oceans. The Moon's gravity causes the water in the oceans to bulge out in two areas: one on the side of the Earth facing the Moon and the other on the opposite side of the Earth.

A: To calculate the amplitude and period of the tide, you can use the following equations:

A = (h_max - h_min) / 2

T = 2 * π * (t_max - t_min) / (2 * n)

where h_max is the maximum depth of the water, h_min is the minimum depth of the water, t_max is the time of the maximum depth, t_min is the time of the minimum depth, and n is the number of cycles of the tide.

A: To solve the depth function numerically, you can use numerical methods such as Euler's method or the Runge-Kutta method. These methods involve approximating the solution of the depth function using a series of small time steps.

A: The depth of the water at the end of a pier is a crucial factor that affects various activities such as fishing, boating, and even the structural integrity of the pier itself. Understanding the depth of the water at the end of a pier is essential for safe and efficient navigation.

A: Yes, you can use the depth function to predict the depth of the water at the end of a pier at any given time. Simply input the time and the amplitude and period of the tide into the depth function, and it will output the predicted depth of the water.

A: Some common applications of the depth function include:

Fishing: Understanding the depth of the water at the end of a pier is essential for successful fishing.
Boating: Knowing the depth of the water at the end of a pier is crucial for safe and efficient navigation.
Pier design: Understanding the depth of the water at the end of a pier is essential for designing safe and stable piers.

A: Yes, you can use the depth function to analyze the effects of tides on the environment. By inputting different values for the amplitude and period of the tide, you can simulate the effects of different tidal patterns on the environment.

In this article, we have answered some frequently asked questions about the depth of the water at the end of a pier. We have discussed the primary cause of tides, how to calculate the amplitude and period of the tide, and how to solve the depth function numerically. We have also highlighted the significance of the depth of the water at the end of a pier and its applications in various fields.

[1] "Tides and Sea Level" by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
[2] "Mathematics of Tides" by the American Mathematical Society (AMS)

Derivation of the Depth Function
Numerical Methods for Solving the Depth Function

To derive the depth function, we can use the following steps:

Assume that the depth of the water at the end of the pier is given by a sinusoidal function.
Use the given data to find the amplitude and period of the tide.
Substitute the amplitude and period into the sinusoidal function to obtain the depth function.

To solve the depth function numerically, we can use the following methods:

Euler's Method: This method involves approximating the solution of the depth function using a series of small time steps.
Runge-Kutta Method: This method involves approximating the solution of the depth function using a series of small time steps and a weighted average of the previous and current estimates.

Here is some sample code in Python to solve the depth function numerically using Euler's method:

import numpy as np

def depth_function(t, A, T):
    return 2.5 + A * np.sin(2 * np.pi * t / T)

def euler_method(t0, t_end, dt, A, T):
    t = np.arange(t0, t_end, dt)
    h = np.zeros(len(t))
    h[0] = depth_function(t[0], A, T)
    for i in range(1, len(t)):
        h[i] = h[i-1] + dt * depth_function(t[i-1], A, T)
    return t, h

# Given data
t0 = 0
t_end = 24
dt = 0.1
A = 1.5
T = 12.4

# Solve the depth function numerically
t, h = euler_method(t0, t_end, dt, A, T)

# Plot the result
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot(t, h)
plt.xlabel('Time (hours)')
plt.ylabel('Depth (m)')
plt.title('Depth of the Water at the End of the Pier')
plt.show()

This code solves the depth function numerically using Euler's method and plots the result. The resulting plot shows the depth of the water at the end of the pier as a function of time.