A note on the derivation of potential energy for two-dimensional water waves

Abstract The potential energy available in a two-dimensional progressive water wave can be calculated in numerous ways. One derivation of this energy based on the first law of thermodynamics and on the linearized velocity potential for waves, is presented in this paper. The energy densities and total energy expressions are given for deep and finite depth water waves. It is also shown that the travelling component of the energy for deep water waves is the potential energy component.