The phenomenon of ocean tides, which are influenced by the gravitational interaction between the Moon, Earth, and Sun, is responsible for the waves observed in the ocean. While the Moon's gravitational force affects all bodies of water, the effects are more pronounced in larger bodies of water like the ocean compared to smaller bodies like pools or ponds.
The primary reason is the scale and magnitude of the ocean compared to a pool or pond. The ocean covers vast expanses and has a much larger volume and surface area than a pool or pond. The gravitational pull of the Moon creates a tidal bulge on the side of the Earth facing the Moon and an opposing bulge on the opposite side. As the Earth rotates, these tidal bulges move across the surface, resulting in the rise and fall of the ocean level, which we observe as tides.
In a pool or pond, the effects of the Moon's gravitational force are much less noticeable due to the smaller size and volume of water. The gravitational pull of the Moon is still present, causing a slight distortion in the water's surface, but the changes in water level are typically negligible and not easily visible as waves.
It's important to note that other factors, such as wind or disturbances caused by objects interacting with the water, can create waves in pools or ponds, but these are unrelated to the gravitational influence of the Moon.