paper 1 - coastal processes

Question 1

characteristics of destructive waves?

Answer 1

they have a high frequency, and their backwash is stronger than their swash

Question 2

characteristics of constructive waves?

Answer 2

they have a low frequency, and their swash is stronger than their backwash

Question 3

what is mechanical weathering?

Answer 3

breaks down rock without altering its chemical composition

Question 4

weathering:
mechanical freeze thraw

Answer 4

• Water enters the crack
• The water freezes and expands, putting pressure on the rock
• The ice thaws, releasing pressure
• Repeats until rock breaks apart

Question 5

what is chemical weathering?

Answer 5

breaks down rock by altering its chemical composition

Question 6

weathering:
chemical hydrolysis

Answer 6

• Some rocks react to water because of the minerals they contain
• Minerals react with the acids in water, making new chemical compounds
• These chemical compounds break down the rock overtime

Question 7

definition of mass movement?

Answer 7

The downwards movement of rock, mud or soil due to gravity. It typically occurs when a lot of water is present - for example, after heavy rainfall

Question 8

what is sliding?

Answer 8

material slides quickly downwards in a straight line

Question 9

what is slumping?

Answer 9

material slides with a rotation over a curved slip plane

Question 10

what is rock fall?

Answer 10

rocks break apart and fall, often as a result of freeze-thaw weathering

Question 11

what is hydraulic action?

Answer 11

the sheer power and force of the waves crashing against the cliff causes it to break and erode away

Question 12

what is abrasion?

Answer 12

when pebbles grind along a rock platform, much like sandpaper. Over time the rock becomes smooth

Question 13

what is attrition?

Answer 13

when rocks that the sea is carrying knock against each other. They break apart to become smaller and more rounded.

Question 14

what is solution?

Answer 14

when sea water dissolves certain types of rocks e.g chalk and limestone

Question 15

what is traction?

Answer 15

where pebbles and larger material are rolled along the sea bed.

Question 16

what is solution?

Answer 16

when minerals in rocks like chalk and limestone are dissolved in sea water and then carried in solution

Question 17

what is suspension?

Answer 17

finer material the is light enough to be carried by the water

Question 18

what is saltation?

Answer 18

where small pieces of material are bounced along the sea bed.

Question 19

what is longshore drift?

Answer 19

the process that gradually moves beach material along the coast. The action of swash and backwash results in a zigzag movement of material

Question 20

what is deposition?

Answer 20

when the sea loses energy, it drops the material it has been carrying

Question 21

3 factors when deposition is most likely to occur?

Answer 21

• when there is no/little wind
• when there are low energy waves with a weak backwash
• when waves enter sheltered areas e.g bays