4 ms·
Gravity waves are the waves forming on top of atmospheric layers, like ripples in a pond. Gravitational waves are the spacetime waves generated by black hole m
by Florin_Andrei 10y ago
Gravity waves are the waves forming on top of atmospheric layers, like ripples in a pond.
Gravitational waves are the spacetime waves generated by black hole mergers and the like.
Very different phenomena.
- disconcision 10y agoGoogle search seems complicit in this misconception. A search for gravity waves (without quotes) yields only results for gravitational waves. Searching "gravity waves" is only slightly better, yielding the actual meaning as the second definition (and result).
- yongjik 10y agohttp://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2016/atmospheric-waves-awareness.html http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2016/atmospheric-... > It’s important to clarify that atmospheric or oceanic gravity waves are not to be confused with gravitational waves, the outward propagating perturbations in spacetime that are associated with cool physics graphics and, apparently, any and all Google searches on either subject. :)
- Florin_Andrei 10y agoWell, it's two different phenomena wth unfortunately similar names. Of course it's going to trip up search engines.
- BurningFrog 10y agoSo "gravity waves" are what we commonly call "waves"?
- Florin_Andrei 10y agoTo be fair, both are 'waves' of some sort. But, yeah, gravity waves are closer to the common understanding of the word 'waves'.
- 00098345 10y agoThe current understanding of waves on a liquid surface is attributed to a clear boundary between two fluids with a density difference and a velocity gradient. Gravity plays no role in this. Kelvin-Helmholtz instability: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelvin%E2%80%93Helmholtz_instability https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelvin%E2%80%93Helmholtz_insta...
- hellabites 10y agoTwo fluids with a density difference and a velocity gradient usually have a common force acting upon them, e.g. gravity, which enforces so-said interface. Perturbations to the average interface are restored via this force, and these perturbations are called gravity waves. KH Instabilities give rise to gravity waves.
- wiml 10y agoBig water waves are gravity waves, but ripples are capillary waves, I think.
- adrianratnapala 10y agoBut likening them to ripples in a guitar string is still silly. Why choose this somewhat distant similie when ordinary water waves are real gravity waves, and are even more familiar to people than are guitars (let alone the excitations of their strings)? Perhaps the gravity waves in question are standing waves?
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]