What is the process by which waves are formed due to the frictional drag of wind across the water's surface?

The process by which waves are formed due to the frictional drag of wind across the water's surface is known as gravity waves. When wind blows over the surface of the water, it transfers energy to the water, creating small ripples at first. As the wind continues to exert its force, these ripples grow into larger waves. The energy from the wind is what generates the oscillations of the water surface, and gravity plays a crucial role in restoring the water to its equilibrium position after being disturbed by these wind-driven forces.

Gravity waves are characterized by their dependence on the pull of gravity to maintain their shape as they travel. The balance between the gravitational forces acting on the water and the inertia of the moving water creates a wave motion that manifests as undulations on the water surface. This phenomenon is distinct from other processes like capillary action, which involves the surface tension of water and affects much smaller scales, such as the formation of small droplets or menisci, rather than the large-scale waves formed by wind. Surface tension relates to the cohesive forces at the surface of the water and does not primarily contribute to the wave formation caused by wind. Wave propagation refers to the movement of waves across a medium but does not specifically explain the initial formation of waves