High School Physics:
Follow that Bloom
Step 3: Analyze Data
Interpreting Information Gathered by CODAR

A. Now let's apply your knowledge of vectors to some real CODAR images. The image below is data collected from CODAR antennae on three beaches along the New Jersey coast: Sandy Hook, Loveladies, and Wildwood. The arrows on the image are resultant vectors calculated by adding together the individual vectors collected by two or more of the antenna. The direction of each arrow shows the direction that the water is moving at that location, and the color of the arrow indicates the speed of the water.

1. Click to enlarge the image below, and look at the sea surface current vectors.

2. Answer the following multiple choice question:
(Close the image window when done)

B. Now let's zoom in and take a closer look at this data. The image below shows a close-up of the same data for the area between Sandy Hook and Loveladies. Using the image below, you will identify a vector on the image and calculate the component vectors.

1. Click to enlarge, then print, the map below.
2. Download the "Vectors Mark the Location" Worksheet, and follow the instructions to complete the activity.
When you're done close the windows to continue with this project.