Ripples are small waves that form on the surface of water when an object disturbs it. For example, when a stone is thrown into a pond, it creates ripples that spread outward in circular patterns. These ripples are caused by the energy transferred from the stone to the water, causing the water molecules to move up and down. Ripples can also occur in other contexts, such as sound waves or even social interactions. In physics, ripples represent the movement of energy through a medium, while in sociology, they can symbolize how one person's actions can influence others, creating a chain reaction of effects.