What are the components of the ground wave?

The ground wave is composed of direct waves, ground-reflected waves, and surface waves, making this choice the most accurate representation of its components.

Direct waves are those that travel straight from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna along the ground. Ground-reflected waves occur when these direct waves are reflected off the surface of the Earth, creating multiple wave paths that may enhance signal reception over certain distances. Surface waves are a specific type of ground waves that follow the contour of the Earth, effectively propagating along the surface and bending around obstacles.

Understanding these components is crucial because they help explain how radio signals can propagate over long distances, especially in areas where line-of-sight communication is not possible due to terrain or obstacles. The other choices include components that do not pertain to ground wave propagation, which makes them less relevant in this context.