5/7/25, 11:12 PM AQA A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY(COASTS) EXAM PREP/COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE/ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH EX…
AQA A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY (COASTS) EXAM
PREP/COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE/ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH EXPERT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS)/NEWEST UPDATE
Terms in this set (107)
sediment can be brought into the system in various
Inputs ways. Energy inputs come from wind, waves, tides and
currents.
e.g. sediment can be washed out to sea or deposited
Outputs
further along the shore.
e.g. processes such as erosion, weathering,
Flows/Transfers transportation and deposition can move sediment
within the system.
Stores/Components landforms such as beaches, dunes and spits
when the effects of an action are cancelled out by its
Negative Feedback
subsequent knock-on effects.
when the effects of an action are amplified or
Positive Feedback multiplied by subsequent knock-on effects (a
loop/cycle).
- Wind
- Wave
Sources of energy
- Tidal
- Currents
… 1/24
,5/7/25, 11:12 PM AQA A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY(COASTS) EXAM PREP/COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE/ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH EX…
- created by the frictional drag of the wind over the
water.
- effect of wave depends on height. height is
determined by wind speed and fetch of the wind.
- waves break as they approach the shore. Friction
with the sea bed slows the bottom of the waves.
Wave Energy
Size of wave depends on 3 factors:
- Distance wave has travelled
- Time wind has been blowing
- Strength of the wind
height difference between a wave crest and the
Wave height
neighbouring trough
Wavelength distance between successive crests
time between one crest and the following crest
Wave frequency
passing a fixed point
- swash greater then backwash
- weak backwash, low-energy deposition
- form beaches
Constructive waves - long, not very high max 1m
- frequency 6-9/minute
- form in calm conditions with light winds
- leads to formation of ridges (berms)
… 2/24
, 5/7/25, 11:12 PM AQA A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY(COASTS) EXAM PREP/COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE/ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH EX…
- backwash greater than swash
- remove material from the beach
- erode the coastline
Destructive waves - 2-3m in height and steep
- frequency of 11-15/minute
- form in stormy conditions
- may form a ridge called a storm beach
Slowing and bending of
progressive waves in shallow
water.
Energy dissipates in deeper
waters, waves are a lot smaller
Wave refraction and don't slow down as much at
the deeper bays.
Energy of waves is concentrated
at the headland, waves are
bigger and erosion more likely
in this shallow water.
- winds are created by air moving from areas of high
pressure to areas of low pressure. During events such
as storms, the jump from one to the other is large.
- strong winds produce powerful waves.
Most coastlines will have a prevailing wind direction.
Wind energy
The wind will generally reach the coast from one
direction.
This therefore controls:
1. the direction that waves approach.
2. the direction material is transported.
Prevailing wind the dominant wind direction in a particular location.
… 3/24
AQA A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY (COASTS) EXAM
PREP/COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE/ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH EXPERT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS)/NEWEST UPDATE
Terms in this set (107)
sediment can be brought into the system in various
Inputs ways. Energy inputs come from wind, waves, tides and
currents.
e.g. sediment can be washed out to sea or deposited
Outputs
further along the shore.
e.g. processes such as erosion, weathering,
Flows/Transfers transportation and deposition can move sediment
within the system.
Stores/Components landforms such as beaches, dunes and spits
when the effects of an action are cancelled out by its
Negative Feedback
subsequent knock-on effects.
when the effects of an action are amplified or
Positive Feedback multiplied by subsequent knock-on effects (a
loop/cycle).
- Wind
- Wave
Sources of energy
- Tidal
- Currents
… 1/24
,5/7/25, 11:12 PM AQA A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY(COASTS) EXAM PREP/COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE/ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH EX…
- created by the frictional drag of the wind over the
water.
- effect of wave depends on height. height is
determined by wind speed and fetch of the wind.
- waves break as they approach the shore. Friction
with the sea bed slows the bottom of the waves.
Wave Energy
Size of wave depends on 3 factors:
- Distance wave has travelled
- Time wind has been blowing
- Strength of the wind
height difference between a wave crest and the
Wave height
neighbouring trough
Wavelength distance between successive crests
time between one crest and the following crest
Wave frequency
passing a fixed point
- swash greater then backwash
- weak backwash, low-energy deposition
- form beaches
Constructive waves - long, not very high max 1m
- frequency 6-9/minute
- form in calm conditions with light winds
- leads to formation of ridges (berms)
… 2/24
, 5/7/25, 11:12 PM AQA A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY(COASTS) EXAM PREP/COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE/ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH EX…
- backwash greater than swash
- remove material from the beach
- erode the coastline
Destructive waves - 2-3m in height and steep
- frequency of 11-15/minute
- form in stormy conditions
- may form a ridge called a storm beach
Slowing and bending of
progressive waves in shallow
water.
Energy dissipates in deeper
waters, waves are a lot smaller
Wave refraction and don't slow down as much at
the deeper bays.
Energy of waves is concentrated
at the headland, waves are
bigger and erosion more likely
in this shallow water.
- winds are created by air moving from areas of high
pressure to areas of low pressure. During events such
as storms, the jump from one to the other is large.
- strong winds produce powerful waves.
Most coastlines will have a prevailing wind direction.
Wind energy
The wind will generally reach the coast from one
direction.
This therefore controls:
1. the direction that waves approach.
2. the direction material is transported.
Prevailing wind the dominant wind direction in a particular location.
… 3/24
