“Waves” are related to “Air” (as in sound waves in air) in the same way “Ripples” are related to which medium? Choose the correct physical medium.

Introduction / Context:
Physics-based analogies frequently match phenomena to their natural media. Sound waves commonly propagate in air; ripples are surface wave patterns observed on liquids, most familiarly on water. The task is to map each phenomenon to its usual medium.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Waves (in the sense of sound waves) ↔ air as the medium.
• Ripples are small waves that occur on liquid surfaces.
• We must choose the correct medium for ripples.

Concept / Approach:
Identify the canonical environment for the phenomenon. Ripples are formed on the surface of water due to disturbances (e.g., a stone drop, breeze). The remaining options (wind, storm, smoke) are causes/agents or unrelated substances, not the surface medium itself.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Recognize phenomenon-to-medium relation for waves.2) Apply it to ripples: select “Water.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Visualize the classic classroom demonstration: ripples on a water tray when disturbed; this confirms the intended mapping.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Wind/Storm: Possible causes of ripples, not the medium.
• Smoke: A suspension of particles in air; not a water surface.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing causes with mediums; the analogy wants the environment in which the pattern appears.

Final Answer:
Water