What term is the valley between wave crests below the average water level in a progressive wave?

Study for the IB Marine Science Standard Level Exam. Prepare with interactive quizzes and in-depth explanations. Use our resources to excel in your marine science knowledge!

Multiple Choice

What term is the valley between wave crests below the average water level in a progressive wave?

Explanation:
In a progressive water wave, the surface oscillates around the mean water level, with crests above it and the low point between crests below it. That valley, the point where the surface is lowest, is called the trough. So the correct term for the valley between wave crests below the average water level is wave trough. The other terms don’t fit: a wave train is a sequence of waves, astronomical tide is a long-term rise and fall in sea level due to gravity, and a wind wave is simply a wave generated by wind, not the name of the low point within a single wave.

In a progressive water wave, the surface oscillates around the mean water level, with crests above it and the low point between crests below it. That valley, the point where the surface is lowest, is called the trough. So the correct term for the valley between wave crests below the average water level is wave trough. The other terms don’t fit: a wave train is a sequence of waves, astronomical tide is a long-term rise and fall in sea level due to gravity, and a wind wave is simply a wave generated by wind, not the name of the low point within a single wave.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy