2007-02-18 16:22:04 · 7 answers · asked by elvis 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Ocean waves are almost always formed because of wind (though some waves come from geological activity, and some come from things falling into the ocean). I'm not sure why some people seem to think that the moon's gravity is responsible for waves - but it really isn't. The moon is responsible for tides, but they are a completely different thing from waves. If you'd like more information try wikipedia... I'll quote a little bit from their page on ocean waves...
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Ocean surface waves are mechanical waves that propagate along the interface between water and air; the restoring force is provided by gravity, and so they are often referred to as surface gravity waves. As the wind blows, pressure and friction forces perturb the equilibrium of the ocean surface. These forces transfer energy from the air to the water, forming waves. In the case of monochromatic linear plane waves in deep water, particles near the surface move in circular paths, making ocean surface waves a combination of longitudinal (back and forth) and transverse (up and down) wave motions. When waves propagate in shallow water, (where the depth is less than half the wavelength) the particle trajectories are compressed into ellipses (also see shallow water equations). As the wave amplitude (height) increases, the particle paths no longer form closed orbits; rather, after the passage of each crest, particles are displaced a little forward from their previous positions, a phenomenon known as Stokes drift.....
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Hope this information is helpful.
2007-02-18 18:25:09 · answer #1 · answered by brooks b 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The current in the water forms waves.
2007-02-18 16:31:25 · answer #2 · answered by ♥ღ♥kαчlα♥ღ♥ 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Evaluate the answers carefully. Some sound well researched and are wrong. Waves are caused by wind, tides are caused by gravity.
2007-02-19 00:51:56 · answer #3 · answered by smartprimate 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
waves are made by wind or storms miles away which make swell which turn in to waves paddle out pull into sum big barrels!!!!!! only a surfer knows the feeling............
2007-02-18 16:35:43 · answer #4 · answered by marty barber 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
waves are made by wind
2007-02-18 16:34:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
wind. convection currents. plate tectonics. gravitational pull betwen the sun and moon. u name it!
2007-02-18 16:47:13 · answer #6 · answered by Carmen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it has something to do with the gravitational pull of the moon
2007-02-18 16:26:04 · answer #7 · answered by . 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋