Waves far from their point of origin
As waves move away from where they were generated, they tend to disperse
- Dispersion = separation of waves on the basis of their period or wavelength
- Dispersion occurs because deep water waves move at speed proportional to wave period or wavelength
- Longer wavelength waves move away faster
Dispersion leads to swell - smoother water surface with long-crested waves of nearly constant wavelength (or period)
May see wave train or group behavior (another effect of wave interference)