Ch.11 The Sea/Coasts

Question 1

What is swash?

Answer 1

The white foamy water that flows up the beach when a wave reaches the shore and breaks

Question 2

What is backwash?

Answer 2

When the water runs out of speed, it stops and flows back down the beach into the sea

Question 3

What are constructive waves?

Answer 3

• Waves that have a strong swash that pushes sand and stones onto the shore and a weak backwash
• typically occur on calm days, contributing to beach buildup.

Question 4

What are destructive waves?

Answer 4

• Waves that erode the coastline, are strong and tall, plunge deeply onto the shore, and have a powerful backwash (weak swash)
• can drag stones, sand, and even people back into the water.

Question 5

List three factors that determine the height and strength of waves.

Answer 5

• The length of time the wind is blowing for
• The fetch (distance the wave has travelled before it reaches land)
• The strength of the wind

Question 6

Name the 5 processes of coastal erosion

Answer 6

• hydraulic action
• abrasion
• solution
• attrition
• Air compression

Question 7

Hydraulic action

Answer 7

Force of fast flowing water

Question 8

Abrasion

Answer 8

River’s load hitting the sea bed

Question 9

Solution

Answer 9

Rocks dissolving

Question 10

Attrition

Answer 10

Stones collide & roll

Question 11

Air compression

Answer 11

Constant explosive pressure and release of air from waves