Final answer:
Sea waves are generally caused by local winds and are less uniform than swells, which are caused by distant weather systems and have a more uniform and longer wavelength.
Step-by-step explanation:
When addressing the differences and similarities between sea waves and swells, it's crucial to note that these are two types of water wave phenomena, primarily caused by the wind. Both types of waves exhibit common wave properties such as amplitude, period, frequency, and energy. However, they differ in their formation and characteristics.
Sea waves are typically generated by local winds and are the waves you might see breaking along the beach. Their energy is more chaotic, and they have a shorter wavelength. On the other hand, swells are sets of waves formed by distant weather systems or storms. Swells have a more uniform and longer wavelength and can travel across vast stretches of the ocean.
Addressing the multiple-choice components:
- b. Swells are indeed found in oceans, but they are not the only type of waves there, and sea waves can occur in any body of water.
- c. Both sea waves and swells are caused by winds, differing mainly in the wind's source and scale that generated them.
- a. and d. are incorrect. Sea waves are not always larger than swells, and sea waves are not typically smoother than swells; it is usually the other way around with swells tending to have a more uniform appearance.