Can a Water Wave Be Longitudinal?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the nature of water waves, specifically whether they can be classified as longitudinal waves. Participants explore various contexts and phenomena related to wave behavior in water, including sound transmission and surface wave dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that water waves can be longitudinal, citing examples such as sonar and underwater communication.
  • One participant describes how transverse and longitudinal waves can occur simultaneously in water, particularly in shallow water and tsunami events.
  • Another participant suggests that longitudinal waves in water could potentially be induced by variations in surface tension.
  • It is noted that surface waves exhibit a combination of longitudinal and transverse motion, especially in shallow water scenarios.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether water waves can be classified as longitudinal. Multiple competing views are presented regarding the nature of wave motion in water.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific conditions such as water depth and surface tension, which are not fully resolved in the discussion.

primarygun
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Can a water wave be a longitudinal wave?
 
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Of course. Sonars, two people "talking" to each other underwater, knocking on top of a can of soup, knocking on ice, when fish bump into each other etc.

Transverse water waves are mostly apparent on the surface and during tsunami-like events asaik. Moving a water molecule up and down should cause a transverse wave along the normal plane, a longitudinal one along its oscillating axis, and a combination of both at 0 < angle < 90 degrees.
 
Longitudinal wave forms in water other than the sound wave option, might possibly be induced by spatially varying surface tension.
 
Last edited:
primarygun said:
Can a water wave be a longitudinal wave?
Surface waves are a combination of longitudinal and transverse motion. There is significant longitudinal movement in shallow water waves (where the ratio of wavelength/depth is significant). Tsunamis cause a huge longitudinal movement of water, as we all know.

AM
 

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