Bugwelle - What is the English translation? English translators help general English translators with the translation of Bugwelle

Conges terminology question

6 months ago

Christine Keitsch (a guest user) asked this question:

Language pair:	German > English
Subject:	General
Level of diffculty:	Easy / medium
Word or term in question:	Bugwelle
Context:	shipping

The answer of Michaela Dudley was rated best

Bow wave; (less frequent: bow shock)

My comment:

Bow wave is a term in fluid dynamics, physics and (aero)nautical science. It is a progressive disturbance which is propagated by fluids, notably water, in response to the displacement caused by the foremost point of the object moving through said fluid. Thereby, the object progresses through the fluid at a velocity greater than that of the wave moving across the fluid.

It most commonly applies to the V-shaped wave forming at the bow of a moving ship. Additionally, the term can also be applied to an airplane travelling at supersonic speed. In the latter case, the bow wave exhibits a conical shape.

Deutschsprachig auf den Punkt gebracht: Eine Bugwelle ist die Welle, die ein schwimmender Gegenstand, der sich durch eine Flüssigkeit fortbewegt, vor sich her schiebt. Auch ein Flugzeug, das schneller fliegt als der Schall, schiebt eine Art Bugwelle.

My references:

Professional nautical experience; general sources for comparison include Britannica (EN) & Wiki (DE/EN).