surface wave
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surface wave
[′sər·fəs ‚wāv] (communications)
(electromagnetism)
A wave that can travel along an interface between two different mediums without radiation; the interface must be essentially straight in the direction of propagation; the commonest interface used is that between air and the surface of a circular wire.
(fluid mechanics)
A wave that distorts the free surface that separates two fluid phases, usually a liquid and a gas.
(mechanics)
(oceanography)
A progressive gravity wave in which the disturbance is of greatest amplitude at the air-water interface.
surface wave
The part of a radio transmission that follows the earth's surface. The same as a ground wave. See space wave.