How a gravity wave works
In short: Gravity waves are waves in a fluid medium or at an interface where gravity acts as the restoring force.
1. A gravity wave results when fluid is displaced from a position of equilibrium. 2. The restoration of the fluid to equilibrium will produce a movement of the fluid back and forth, called a wave orbit. 3. Wind-generated gravity waves on the free surface of the Earth's ponds, lakes, seas and oceans are predominantly between 0.3 and 30 seconds. 4. If a forcing term matches a mode of vibration of the capillary-gravity wave, then there is a resonance, and the wave grows in amplitude.
Sources: Wikipedia, “Gravity wave (Wikipedia)” (CC BY-SA 4.0). Illustrative, not to scale.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Gravity wave
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