Coasts- Lesson 1

Question 1

What are the characteristics of a destructive wave?

Answer 1

Stronger backwash than swash

Question 2

What are the characteristics of constructive waves?

Answer 2

Swash stronger than backwash

Question 3

Describe the hydraulic action

Answer 3

When a wave impacts a cliff face, air is forced into cracks under high pressure.

Question 4

Describe abrasion

Answer 4

The repeated action of waves breaking on a cliff is enough to remove material from it over time.

Question 5

Describe attrition

Answer 5

Beach material is knocked together in water reducing their size and increasing their roundness and smoothness.

Question 6

Describe corrosion

Answer 6

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is dissolved into water turning it into a weak carbonic acid.

Question 7

How are waves formed?

Answer 7

Waves are created by wind blowing over the surface of the sea. As the wind blows over the sea, friction is created- producing a swell in the water. The energy of the wind causes water particles to rotate inside the swell and this moves the wave forward.

Question 8

What three factors does wave size depend on?

Answer 8

1) The strength of wind
2) The time period the wind blows for
3) The length of water the wind blows over-the fetch

Question 9

Mention future coastal issues

Answer 9

Low lying areas exposed to sea water
(Maldives, Netherlands ,Thames estuary)

Rise of 0.3m by 2100