Question

Explain surface waves in detail and also prove if ripples in water are surface waves or transverse waves.

Answer 1

Dear Student,

It is such a wave where particles move in circular motion. Surface waves move close to or on the outside surface of the ground. It is the slowest of all the earthquake waves.
Ripples in water are the combination of transverse and longitudinal waves. Gravity acting on the water in crest causes molecules to move down and sideways. Also, they take on a rolling motion, moving roughly on a circle. In this way crest moves along, even though each molecules return to its position.