coasts as natural systems

Question 1

what are the physical inputs into a costal system

Answer 1

waves , tides, salt and spray,

Question 2

what are the human inputs into a costal system

Answer 2

pollution , recreation

Question 3

what are the outputs of a costal system

Answer 3

ocean currents , sediment transfer

Question 4

what are the 2 ways energy can enter the costal system

Answer 4

wind , flowing water

Question 5

what are the stores/ components of a costal system

Answer 5

beaches and cliffs

Question 6

define system

Answer 6

a set of interrelated components working together kind of process. It is a model to show how things work.

Question 7

what is positive feedback

Answer 7

a system finds a new point of dynamic equilibrium
effects of an action are amplified or multiplied by subsequent knock-on or secondary effects

Question 8

what is negative feedback

Answer 8

a system returns to its original point of dynamic equilibrium
where the effects of an action are nullified by its subsequent knock on effects

Question 9

define coast/coastline

Answer 9

area where the sea interacts with the land

Question 10

what is the fetch

Answer 10

distance over which the wind blows
longer fetch larger waves

Question 11

why is wind strength important in waves

Answer 11

stronger wave strength=larger wind strength

Question 12

why is wind direction important for waves

Answer 12

if the wind is prevailing and consistent and in the same direction there will be bigger waves

Question 13

what are the 2 types of waves

Answer 13

constructive and destructive

Question 14

what does wave refraction mean

Answer 14

waves turn around and loose energy around a headland or uneven coastline

Question 15

what are the 4 methods of transportation

Answer 15

1. traction
   2.saltation
   3.suspension
   4.solution

Question 16

what does it mean if there is a high high tide and a low low tide

Answer 16

the sun and moon are in alignment

Question 17

what is the tide like if the sun and moon are perpendicular

Answer 17

the is a low hight tide and a high low tide

Question 18

what are the 6 types of erosion

Answer 18

1.corrosion
2.abrasian
3. attrition
4.hydrualic action
5.corrasion
6.wave quarrying

Question 19

what is erosion

Answer 19

removal of sediment from a coast line

Question 20

what is deposition

Answer 20

sediment too heavy to carry or wave looses energy

Question 21

if there is a high tide does that mean there is more or less erosion

Answer 21

more erosion

Question 22

which way do surface winds blow

Answer 22

move air from high to low pressue areas

Question 23

what does pressure have to do with wind speed

Answer 23

pressure controls speed of winds by the pressure gradient
if the pressure change is more quick= faster winds
if the distance when changing amount of pressure is longer then the winds are slower

Question 24

where do your dominant/prevailing winds come from in the uk

Answer 24

west/south west

Question 25

what cell are the uk in

Answer 25

ferrel cell

Question 26

what does the energy of the wave depend on

Answer 26

strength of wind(wind velocity)
length of time wind is blowing(duration)
fetch

Question 27

how are waves created

Answer 27

1. waves are created by the transfer of energy from the wind blowing over the sea surface
2. waves are created by the action (frictional drag ) of the wind on the surface of the sea
3. waves can be created by local winds or by distant storms (swell)

Question 28

where are depressions formed

Answer 28

over the Atlantic ocean between the polar and Ferrell cell

Question 29

what is a sediment cell

Answer 29

a distinct area of coastline separated from other areas by boundaries such as headlands

Question 30

is a sediment cell a closed or open system

Answer 30

closed system BUT sediment can enter and can be removed

Question 31

where is sediment stored

Answer 31

beaches, bars and banks

Question 32

how does sediment leave the sediment cell

Answer 32

1.blown inland
2.major storm - e.g hurricane bemy Barbados takes sediment into deep ocean = harder for beach to rebuild
but the biggest loss from the cell is from 3.humans as buliding require sand for concrete

Question 33

what is marine erosion

Answer 33

primary cause of erosion is from wave action.