A Kinematic and Geometric Analysis of Trochoidal Waves

Abstract

To study the geometry of Gerstner's water wave model, we analyse the velocity of his fluid particles in a reference frame that moves with the wave. Gerstner wave profiles are cycloidal, curtate (flattened) trochoids, or prolate (extended) trochoids. We derive both the height of each profile's characterising point (cusp, inflection, or self-intersection), as well as a condition under which the arc lengths of prolate and curtate profiles coincide over a single wave cycle. We conclude with a discussion of how Galilean transformations affect particle acceleration and the geometry of their trajectories.