You all know that ocean water is never still. There are different types of movements of ocean water under the influence of different physical characteristics like temperature, salinity, density, etc. Movements of ocean water are also affected by external forces like the sun, moon, and winds.

Motion of Ocean water can be classified in two direction –

  • HORIZONTAL
  • VERTICAL

Horizontal movements of the ocean waters can be classified into two –

Vertical movements of the ocean waters can be classified into two –

  • TIDES
  • UPWELLING

Ocean Waves

Wave is a rhythmic movement that carries energy through matter or space.

Ocean Waves are the undulatory motion of a water surface.

  • Waves are nothing but the oscillatory movements that result in the rise and fall of the water surface.
  • Waves are a kind of horizontal movement of ocean water.
  • They are actually the energy, not the water as such, which moves across the ocean surface.
  • This energy for the waves is provided by the wind.
  • In a wave, the movement of each water particle is in a circular manner.
  • A wave has two major parts: the raised part is called the crest while the low-point is called the trough.
Ocean Wave
Ocean Waves

Parts of a wave

Wave crest and troughThe highest point of a wave is called crest.
The lowest point of a wave is called trough.
Wave heightIt is the perpendicular distance from the bottom of a trough to the top of a crest of a wave.
Wave amplitudeIt is one-half of the wave height.
Wave periodIt is merely the time interval between two successive wave crests or troughs as they pass a fixed point.
WavelengthIt is the horizontal distance between two successive crests.
Wave speedIt is the rate at which the wave moves through the water.
It is measured in knots.
Frequencythe number of complete waves (or oscillations) that occur over a given period of
time. Usually measured in cycles per second.

Most of the waves present on the ocean’s surface are wind-generated waves.

Friction from the wind moving over the water causes the water to move along with the wind. If the wind speed is high enough, the water begins to pile up and a wave is formed.
As wind velocity increases: Wavelength, Wave period, Height Increase.

wave motion

Water molecules move in an orbital motion as the wave passes.

Particles of water move around in circles. The farther below the surface, the smaller the circle.

wave motion gif

The diameter of the orbit: increases with increasing wave size.
The diameter of the orbit: decreases with depth below the water surface.

diameter of the orbit: increases with increasing wave size.

As the wave slows, its crest and trough come closer together. The top of the wave is not slowed by friction and moves faster than the bottom.

wave break

Wave types

ocean wave types
wave and wind

Wave Cut action

wave cut action

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
10 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Vani Dev

Awesome explaination

Vani Dev

Sir, its a really commendable job that you are using…I really appreciate it..I want to extend my heartiest support to you… But ,I don’t have money to join coaching classes also… Once again thank you…and sorry…
But when ever I am capable ,I will really contribute to your hard work 🙏🙏🙏🙏

Vani Dev

Also Sir,the pending topics explaination will be coming until when??? Pls update on this..

isha

Cant thankyou enough for these beautiful notes….Very well explained….All of my doubts are answered here.
You guys are the best!
Rise and Shine Lotus arise Team.
We love you!
We will make you feel proud.

Hemalatha

Definitely I will contribute you soon sir! Iam really weak particularly in geography and mains due to lack of notes supplement but you make a hope to me sir …thank you sir …hard work never in vain sir …definitely you get a good fame in upsc websites at soon sir

MEHAK

I am extremly thankfull to you for providing us such amazing content explained with such simple wordings. before i was worried about the content than universes landed me into this website.

Kaydee

Doesnt the strength of the current , increase the wave hight …does orbital velocity or intensity increase wave height

suchi

thnq so much sir