4. Waves are Energy Moving Across the Surface of the Ocean (C102-103)

Even though the water in a wave may rise and fall by as much as 30 m, very little of the water moves forward. What moves across the ocean’s surface is energy. Think about this: When you shake a rope, the rope moves up and down or side to side as waves travel to the end of the rope. But the rope itself doesn’t move forward. This motion is similar to what happens to water in the ocean. The waves move across the surface of the water, but the water stays in almost the same place.