PADI Divemaster Certification Practice Exam

What primary force is responsible for wave formation?

1. Gravitational pull

2. Wind

3. Underwater currents

4. Submarine earthquakes

The correct answer is: Wind

The primary force responsible for wave formation is wind. When wind blows across the surface of a body of water, it transfers energy to the water through friction. This process creates surface waves, which can vary in size and strength depending on the wind speed, duration, and the distance over which it blows (known as fetch). As the wind continues to affect the water surface, the energy transferred generates waves that can travel over large distances. Additionally, wind creates different types of waves, including capillary waves, which are small and ripple-like, and longer, more powerful waves formed from sustained winds over time. While gravitational pull influences the movement of water and tides, it is not the primary mechanism that initiates wave formation. Submarine earthquakes can cause waves, known as tsunamis, but these are not regular waves formed by wind; they are a result of geological activity. Underwater currents can impact wave patterns but do not directly cause wave formation in the same way that wind does. Therefore, wind stands out as the main force driving the initial formation of waves on the water's surface.