Which type of waves has the longest wavelengths and moves the fastest?

The type of waves that has the longest wavelengths and moves the fastest are classified as long waves. In the context of oceanography, these long waves include phenomena like tsunamis and other deep water waves, which can travel across ocean basins at remarkable speeds, sometimes exceeding 500 miles per hour in deep water.

Long waves are characterized by their ability to maintain their energy over vast distances, resulting in significant travel speeds. The wave speed is directly related to its wavelength; as the wavelength increases, the speed of the wave also increases. This principle follows from the dispersion relation in wave physics, where longer wavelengths correspond to higher speeds in deep water.

In contrast, shorter and medium waves typically have shorter wavelengths and travel at slower speeds. Instantaneous refers to a concept rather than a specific type of wave, making it an irrelevant choice in this context. For ocean waves, understanding the relationship between wavelength and speed is essential, highlighting why long waves are the correct answer to this question.