Question

When a wave moves across a pond, it transfers ________. 1) water molecules up and down and energy across the pond 2) water molecules across the pond only 3) energy up and down and water molecules across the pond 4) energy up and down only

Answer 1

When a wave moves across a pond, it transfers 'water molecules up and down and energy across the pond'. The water molecules oscillate due to the wave's energy, but the molecules themselves remain in place. The primary role of the wave is to transfer energy, not move water molecules from one place to another.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a wave moves across a pond, it primarily transfers energy. This is because waves, including those on a pond, are a travelling disturbance that transfer energy and momentum. It's a common misconception that water waves push water molecules from one location to another. The particles of water in a wave tend to stay in one location, moving up and down due to the energy in the wave, while the energy itself moves forward through the water. The water molecules are not pushed in one direction, but rather oscillate as the wave passes.

However, the water molecules tend to stay in their original location, moving up and down as the wave's energy passes through them. Therefore, the correct answer is 'water molecules up and down and energy across the pond'.

Waves, such as those in a pond, function via different oscillation modes like transverse and longitudinal. In the case of a pond, surface water waves are primarily transverse waves, where the energy of the wave travels horizontally, while the water molecules oscillate up and down.

Learn more about Energy Transfer