Waves are made when wind brushes over the surface of the water. The wave forms in the ocean and then breaks near the shore. A wave machine can be made as a craft or for something more advanced, like a science project. Wave machines are helpful in demonstrating how waves break when they approach the shore. In this project, a white foam background is used to add depth and dimension to the waves.
- 3-inch-by-4-inch-by-1-inch clear plastic bottle with screw-on lid
- Hot glue
- Plumber's tape
- Mineral oil
- Water
- Blue food coloring
- White craft foam
Buy a clear plastic bottle with a lid that will screw on tightly.
Cover half of the bottle lengthwise with a sheet of foam by gluing on the foam.
Fill 1/3 of the bottle with water.
Add blue food coloring one drop at a time until the water is the color you would like.
Add mineral oil to the mixture. Fill the bottle with mineral oil until the consistency reaches the rim of the bottle.
Wrap plumber's tape around the area of the bottle where you will secure the lid. These are called bottle threads.
Place the lid on the bottle and secure tightly.
Things You'll Need
References
About the Author
Based in Las Vegas, Jody Wilber has been freelance writing since 2004. Her articles have appeared in "Christianity Today," "The Upper Room" and "The Review Journal." She is formally a high-school English and journalism teacher. She graduated from California Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and went on to achieve her Master in Education from Sierra Nevada College.
Photo Credits
wave image by Mark from Fotolia.com