capillary wave


capillary wave

[′kap·ə‚ler·ē ‚wāv] (fluid mechanics) A wave occurring at the interface between two fluids, such as the interface between air and water on oceans and lakes, in which the principal restoring force is controlled by surface tension. A water wave of less than 1.7 centimeters. Also known as capillary ripple; ripple.