Eli5 how do the ocean’s waves work? What makes them move?

Question

Eli5 how do the ocean’s waves work? What makes them move?

In: 2

Answer 1

Along with wind, tides shifting gives a steady momentum to the water body, which contributes a lot – moving water will eventually hit *something*.

Tides come from tidal force, which comes from the gravitational pull (on earth) of the sun and moon. Tides track those two, so they move smoothly and perpetually, taking momentum with them.