Which waves travel through water deeper than 1/20 but shallower than 1/2 of their wavelength?

Prepare for the Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Oceanography Test with detailed quizzes, flashcards, and explanations. Get ready to excel in your exam!

Transitional waves are classified as those that travel in water where the depth is between 1/20 and 1/2 of their wavelength. These waves can be considered a bridge between deep water waves, which occur in depths greater than half their wavelength, and shallow water waves, which occur in depths less than 1/20 of their wavelength.

The unique characteristic of transitional waves is that they exhibit attributes of both deep and shallow water waves. As these waves move through water that meets the depth criteria of being greater than 1/20 but less than 1/2 of their wavelength, they demonstrate more complexity in their motion compared to either purely deep or shallow waves. This transitional behavior influences their speed, shape, and energy propagation.

In contrast, gravity waves generally refer to waves where gravity acts as the restoring force and can occur in various water depths, while deep waves strictly refer to waves in depths exceeding half their wavelength. Capillary waves, on the other hand, are small surface waves typically dominated by surface tension and occur in shallower depths than those specified for transitional waves. Thus, transitional waves are the specific category that fits the criteria given in the question.

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