Can Transverse Waves Exist in the Ocean Due to Hydrogen Bonding?

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Ocean waves exhibit both transverse and longitudinal characteristics, but transverse waves cannot propagate through liquids in general. However, surface transverse waves can occur due to gravity, with their amplitude decreasing with depth. In the bulk of the liquid, transverse waves are highly dissipative and do not propagate effectively due to significant attenuation. The discussion highlights that while water's hydrogen bonding may influence wave behavior, it does not enable sustained transverse wave propagation in the liquid's volume. Overall, the existence of transverse waves in oceans is primarily limited to surface phenomena.
pinguthepengu
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Hi, a search on google will reveal that an ocean wave is both transverse, and longitudinal. Another search will also reveal that a transverse wave cannot propagate through a liquid.
One of these statements is not quite right, is it that water is a special case liquid that can propagate tranverse waves because of hydrogen bonding?

thanks
 
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There are surface transverse waves (due to gravity). Their amplitude A(z) fades out with depth: A(z)=A(0)e-z/L.

In a volume the transverse (due to viscosity) waves are highly dissipative - formally their wave vector has a huge imaginary part so they do not propagate too far. One even does not speak of transverse waves in volume.
 
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Thanks for explaining bob.
 

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