Geography - Waves & Tides

Question 1

What causes Waves?

Answer 1

• Wind.
• The wind drags itself onto the surface of the water.
• Distance wind travels over water is Fetch.
• Bigger the fetch bigger the wave.

Question 2

What are the 2 types of waves?

Answer 2

• Constructive.
• Destructive.

Question 3

What is swash and backwash?

Answer 3

• Swash is when water rushes up towards the shore.
• Backwash is when water flows back towards the sea.

Question 4

What are the characteristics of constructive waves?

Answer 4

• Short fetch.
• Strong swash and weak backwash.
• Backwash not strong enough to remove deposition.
• Wave frequency is 6-9 mins.
• Waves are long and low and further apart.

Question 5

What are characteristics of destructive waves?

Answer 5

• Long fetch.
• Weak swash and strong backwash.
• Strong backwash = greater erosion.
• Waves are steep and closer together.
• Frequency is 11-15 mins.

Question 6

What causes tides?

Answer 6

• The moon.
• The gravitational pull of the moon causes tides.
• Sun helps too but not much because the sun is further away so its gravitational pull is weaker.