Why do different wave patters show up on the surface of a lake at the same time?

Answer 1

Could it be fish breaking the surface tension, or perhaps a light breeze?

Answer 2

On a small lake or pond it is mostly because of the wind at the time. On a very large lake like Lake Superior, it is caused by wind, rain, tidal forces (moon and sun's gravity pull) and anything like ships or boats. The same of course in a small pond, but the effect does not last long. On a large lake the waves can rebound off the shore and cause more ripples which become more waves and it keeps going. On a small pond or lake, try dropping a rock, then two rocks, the many rocks and watch the several different wave patterns that develop.

Answer 3

The different wave patterns are caused by different disturbances, like wind, underwater currents, objects moving on and through the water. The wave patterns caused by these sources travels independently, and do not become one unles they have the same frequency and are in phase with each other. This means unless the waves' troughs and crests (bottoms and tops) are 100% coincidental and they travel at the same speed, the wave behave independently of each other. Tht i why there are several wave patterns on a lake's surface

Answer 4

Maybe it cause by the movement of air. The vibration is made of the wind from the environment. We also can see this phenomenon at the sea.

Answer 5

The flow of water is the main reason. while water is flowing, the motion of water nearer to the land area is slow compared to the motion of other parts.It flows as several layers and each layer slide past one another.Due to this the flow of water is different.

Answer 6

Different sources in vibrations, as well as simply variations in the same vibrations.

Answer 7

Undercurrents.

The physics of water motion are largely random and not really understood.