Waves

Question 1

What is the key difference between high energy and low energy coastlines?

Answer 1

High energy coastlines - Dominated by erosion and usually made out of hard rock

Low energy coastlines - Dominated by deposition and are usually made out of sediment

Question 2

What are the key features of a destructive wave?

Answer 2

• Flat and low in height
• Have a long wavelength of up to 100,
• Strong swash carries sediment up the beach
• 6-8 waves per minute
• Wave energy spreads over a large area causes weak backwash and low rates of erosion
• They can form berms which are flat surfaces on the backshore of the beach

Question 3

What are the characteristics of a destructive wave?

Answer 3

• Large height of over a metre and a short wavelength
• High frequency of 10-14 waves per minute
• High rates of erosion due to strong backwash
• Can form storm beaches due to high rates of erosion forming trenches on the coast.

Question 4

What does the term tidal range mean and the different types?

Answer 4

The difference in height between high tide and low tide.

Macrotidal - Above 4m of range
Mesotidal - Between 2-4m of range
Microtidal - Below 2m of range

Question 5

How does tidal range affect the process of erosion?

Answer 5

If a