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They move in ellipical circular motions. http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/dapontes/709772

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When a wave is on the surface of the ocean what direction do the molecules move in?

In an ocean wave, the water molecules move in a circular motion. As the wave passes through, water molecules move in an elliptical path, with no net forward movement. The energy of the wave is what is being transferred, not the water molecules themselves.


How does water molecules move when wave passes?

When a wave passes through water, the water molecules themselves do not move horizontally with the wave. Instead, they move in a circular orbital motion as the wave passes, causing the up and down motion we see on the surface. The energy of the wave is what propagates through the water, not the actual water molecules moving in the direction of the wave.


Do water molecules move horizontally along with a wave?

No, water molecules in a wave don't move horizontally. In a wave, water molecules move in a circular motion, with energy being transferred through the water column in a vertical direction. The forward motion of a wave is due to the energy being transmitted through the water, rather than the actual movement of individual water molecules horizontally.


Does the type of wave change the way the water molecules move?

Yes, the type of wave influences how water molecules move. In deep water, molecules move in circular patterns as the wave passes through. In shallow water, the molecules move in an elliptical motion, with the bottom of the wave obstructing the circular path.


What is the medium through which an ocean wave will travel?

An ocean wave will travel through a medium of water, with the energy of the wave causing the water particles to move in a circular orbit as the wave passes through. This movement transfers the energy of the wave across the water's surface.

Related Questions

When a wave is on the surface of the ocean what direction do the molecules move in?

In an ocean wave, the water molecules move in a circular motion. As the wave passes through, water molecules move in an elliptical path, with no net forward movement. The energy of the wave is what is being transferred, not the water molecules themselves.


How does water molecules move when wave passes?

When a wave passes through water, the water molecules themselves do not move horizontally with the wave. Instead, they move in a circular orbital motion as the wave passes, causing the up and down motion we see on the surface. The energy of the wave is what propagates through the water, not the actual water molecules moving in the direction of the wave.


How do water molecules move as part of deep ocean waves?

In deep ocean waves, water molecules move in a circular motion as the wave passes. This movement occurs because the energy from the wave causes the water at the surface to rise and fall, creating a series of circular orbits that diminish with depth. As a result, water molecules near the surface travel forward with the wave, while those deeper in the ocean move less and follow smaller circular paths. Ultimately, this circular motion allows energy to propagate through the water without the mass of water itself moving long distances.


Do water molecules move horizontally along with a wave?

No, water molecules in a wave don't move horizontally. In a wave, water molecules move in a circular motion, with energy being transferred through the water column in a vertical direction. The forward motion of a wave is due to the energy being transmitted through the water, rather than the actual movement of individual water molecules horizontally.


In water waves water particles move in?

Water particles (molecules) move transversely to the direction of propagation of the wave. That means that as the wave moves out across the water, which is its direction of propagation, the water molecules move up and down (transversely) to create the crests and troughs of the wave.


Does the type of wave change the way the water molecules move?

Yes, the type of wave influences how water molecules move. In deep water, molecules move in circular patterns as the wave passes through. In shallow water, the molecules move in an elliptical motion, with the bottom of the wave obstructing the circular path.


How does the wave transport water molecules from the source of the vibration?

It generally doesn't - only energy is propagated, not matter. Yea, they told me that, but I got wet. The water doesn't travel as much as the energy in a compressive wave. But an ocean water wave, especially near shore, looks a lot like a transverse wave.


What is the medium through which an ocean wave will travel?

An ocean wave will travel through a medium of water, with the energy of the wave causing the water particles to move in a circular orbit as the wave passes through. This movement transfers the energy of the wave across the water's surface.


Describe water movement when a wave passes through it?

Water molecules move in an elliptical orbit as a wave passes through them. As the wave passes, the water molecules return to their original position, with no net movement in the direction of the wave. The energy of the wave is what propagates through the water, not the water itself.


Which way does the particles move in a ocean wave?

In an ocean wave, water particles move in a circular motion. As the wave passes through, water particles move in an elliptical path, with the motion decreasing in size as it gets deeper. The circular motion of water particles is what helps transport energy across the ocean surface.


What is the medium through which a water wave in the ocean moves?

The water. More precisely, the water-air surface.


What sound does an ocean wave make?

As the water molecules from the ocean move in different ways, you can hear the various vibrations of soundwaves emitting from the friction of the molecules against themselves and the sand/rock/etc.