Which term describes a progressive wave that continues to be influenced by the forces that formed it?

Which term describes a progressive wave that continues to be influenced by the forces that formed it?

• A. Free Wave
• B. Fully Developed Sea
• C. Gravity Wave
• D. Forced Wave

Answer: (D)

In ocean waves, a progressive wave that keeps being shaped by the forces that formed it—such as a steady wind continually pushing on the crests and troughs—is a forced wave. The wind keeps feeding energy into the wave train, so the waves remain under the influence of those forcing forces as they travel. If the wind stops, the wave ceases to be forced and becomes a free wave, continuing to move under gravity and inertia but without ongoing energy input. Gravity waves are described by gravity acting as the restoring force, not by ongoing forcing. A fully developed sea is about the balance of wind input and wave energy given fetch and wind speed, representing a mature state rather than ongoing forcing of each wave.

In ocean waves, a progressive wave that keeps being shaped by the forces that formed it—such as a steady wind continually pushing on the crests and troughs—is a forced wave. The wind keeps feeding energy into the wave train, so the waves remain under the influence of those forcing forces as they travel. If the wind stops, the wave ceases to be forced and becomes a free wave, continuing to move under gravity and inertia but without ongoing energy input. Gravity waves are described by gravity acting as the restoring force, not by ongoing forcing. A fully developed sea is about the balance of wind input and wave energy given fetch and wind speed, representing a mature state rather than ongoing forcing of each wave.