Wave types and characteristics Flashcards
what are waves normally caused by and what are the exceptions?
-waves are caused by the wind
-the exceptions are tidal waves/tsunamis which are caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, land slides or cliff collapses
what are the factors that energy acquired by waves depends on?
-wind velocity
-how long the wind has blown for
-the length of the fetch
what is a fetch?
this is the maximum distance of open water over which the wind can blow ie how far the wave has come
swash
wave going up a beach
backwash
wave going down a beach
wavelength
the distance between corresponding points on a wave e.g. crest to crest
waveheight
distance from a crest to a trough vertically
amplitude
distance from equilibrium level to either the crest or trough
equilibrium level
halfway between crest and a trough
crest
top of a wave
trough
lowest point on a wave
what are the types of waves?
-destructive
-constructive
destructive wave
strong backwash and weak swash
constructive wave
weak backwash and strong swash
what is the wavelength of destructive waves?
short