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Wave processes at the coast
I can explain how wave processes shape the coast.
Lesson 1 of 9
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Wave processes at the coast
I can explain how wave processes shape the coast.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Different wave types (constructive and destructive) affect the coast.
- The coast is shaped by processes of erosion (hydraulic power, abrasion and attrition).
- The coast is shaped by transportation (longshore drift) of sediment.
- The coast is shaped by deposition.
Keywords
Waves - ripples in the sea caused by wind blowing over the surface of the water
Erosion - the action of water wearing away rocks
Destructive waves - high, steep waves, typically formed by local storms, that remove sediment from beaches
Constructive waves - low waves, typically formed by distant storms, that deposit sediment onto beaches
Common misconception
Swash is when a wave moves down the beach to the sea and backwash is when a wave moves up the beach from the sea.
The swash is the movement of the wave from the sea to the beach which brings sediment with it. Whereas the backwash is the movement of the wave from the beach to sea.
The lesson in this unit called 'Using GIS to visualise the impact of physical and human processes on coasts' could be used to extend this lesson.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the terms to the correct definition.
Match the terms to the correct definition.
Q2.Climate change today is caused by human activities that increase gas levels in the atmosphere.
Climate change today is caused by human activities that increase gas levels in the atmosphere.
Q3.What is the main factor that creates the waves we see at the seaside?
What is the main factor that creates the waves we see at the seaside?
gravity pulling on Earth's water
tides moving up and down the shore
earthquakes under the sea floor
people driving boats in the sea
Q4.Which of the following is the UK's longest river?
Which of the following is the UK's longest river?
River Thames
River Trent
River Clyde
Q5.What process does 'the wearing away of rocks by water' describe?
What process does 'the wearing away of rocks by water' describe?
weathering
mass movement
transportation
Q6.In which part of the UK is Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain, located?
In which part of the UK is Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain, located?
England
Northern Ireland
Wales
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Identify the answer that correctly describes constructive waves.
Identify the answer that correctly describes constructive waves.
Constructive waves have equal swash and backwash, maintaining beach levels.
Constructive waves have a stronger backwash than swash and erode the coastline.
Constructive waves occur mostly during storms and erode the beach rapidly.
Constructive waves break frequently and move material offshore from beaches.
Q2.Longshore is a process by which sediment is transported along coastlines.
Longshore is a process by which sediment is transported along coastlines.
Q3.What erosion process does the statement 'rocks and sediment collide and break into smaller and smoother pieces' describe?
What erosion process does the statement 'rocks and sediment collide and break into smaller and smoother pieces' describe?
Hydraulic power
Abrasion
Q4.What factors will determine the strength of a wave?
What factors will determine the strength of a wave?
Water temperature
