Why Do Water Particles Move in Circular Paths in Waves?

[Mårten]

Why do the water particles in a water wave, move in circular paths? What's the exact mechanics behind that motion? See this page for a nice pic of the motion:

http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/Demos/waves/wavemotion.html#water

Also, why does this motion, ultimately lead to a propagation of a wave, once a disturbance has occured?

 

[russ_watters]

In short: in order for the water level in one spot to rise, water must flow in from nearby.

 

[tankFan86]

Check out Svendsen's http://books.google.com/books?id=g7...hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result". He has several excellent selections on water wave theory.

 

[Mårten]

In short: in order for the water level in one spot to rise, water must flow in from nearby.

Okey. But why circular? Why not just vertical like in a rope? And what pushes the water, leading to this flow?

Check out Svendsen's http://books.google.com/books?id=g7...hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result". He has several excellent selections on water wave theory.

Ouh, pretty advanced stuff. Didn't make me much wiser at the topic...