2007-11-12 09:20:05 · 4 answers · asked by thazel1040 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
it stays surprisingly stationary, flowing mostly in a circular motion, not moving along with the wave as some would expect.
2007-11-12 09:23:29 · answer #1 · answered by czekoskwigel 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A sine wave describes the motion of a water molecule on the surface of the ocean as a wave passes by. That is, the molecule goes up, then goes down, and then returns to its original position, and then does it all over again.
2007-11-12 09:24:13 · answer #2 · answered by Baron K 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It moves up and down, but does not move side to side (North, South, East, or West). The wave is moving not the water.
As an example, take a string on a table and shake it to send waves down the string. As the waves move away from you, the string is moving side to side, but not in the same direction as the waves are.
2007-11-12 09:23:27 · answer #3 · answered by selket 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A circle on the surface based on wave height. As you get deeper, the circular pattern gets smaller.
See Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_surface_wave and scroll down to the section on "Science of waves." (As a disclosure, I was a minor participant in writing this section of Wikipedia).
2007-11-12 09:35:09 · answer #4 · answered by Frst Grade Rocks! Ω 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋