Question

Which describes the motion of the media for a surface wave?


The motion is parallel to wave direction

The motion is perpendicular to wave direction.

The motion is both parallel and perpendicular to wave direction.

Answer 1

For a surface wave, the motion of the media is described as being both parallel and perpendicular to the wave direction. This means that the particles of the medium move in circular or elliptical paths; they have components of motion both in the direction of wave propagation and perpendicular to it. Thus, the correct description is:

**The motion is both parallel and perpendicular to wave direction.**