coastline Revision Flashcards
what are waves caused by
The transfer of energy from the wind to the sea due to friction on the waves surface
what is the coastline
where the land meets the sea
Does the coastline stay the same
NO, its is always changing due to erosion.
how does a wave break
because of the elliptical shape of the spinning under the surface hits the bottom friction makes the bottom half slow down but the top half carries on.
the highest point of a wave
crest (wave height)
lowest point of a wave
trough
the distance between two waves
wave length
a constructive wave is…
a wave that adds material to a beach because of the strong swash and weak backwash
a destructive wave is…
where the waves take away material from the beach because of the strong back wash
what factors affect the strength of a wave
the strength of the prevailing wind. or the fetch length
what is the fetch
the distance bettween the start of a wave and when it breaks on the shore, bigger fetch means stronger waves
weathering
breaking down of rock in day to day changes in temperature and precipitation
what is hydrolysis
when acidic rain falls onto the rock causing them to fall and break down
what is carbonation
when carbonic acid is in rain that falls onto the rocks and coast causing them to erode faster
what is oxidation
when rocks are broken down by water and oxygen
