Self-consistent theory of capillary-wave generation by small moving objects

Abstract

We investigate theoretically the onset of capillary-gravity waves created by a small object moving at the water-air interface. It is well established that, for straight uniform motion, no steady waves appear at velocities below the minimum phase velocity $c_\text{min} = 23 {\rm cm/s}$. At higher velocities the emission of capillary-gravity waves creates an additional drag force. The behavior of this force near the critical velocity is still poorly understood. A linear response theory where the object is replaced by an effective pressure source predicts a singular behavior for the wave drag. However, experimental data tends to indicate a more continuous transition. In this article, we show that a proper treatment of the flow equations around the obstacle can regularize wave emission, even in the linear wave approximation, thereby ensuring a continuous behavior of the drag force.