1. Use the booklet to record your answers.
What is today’s lesson about?
Wave Formation
Use the booklet to record your answers.

2. The Big Picture – Coasts
Introduction to coasts
Uses of the coastline
Wave formation
Coastal erosion
Sea stacks
Bays and headlands
Wave cut platforms
Transportation and deposition
Coastal management
Happisburgh case study
End of unit assessment
Coasts lesson 2 - wave formation

3. How do waves form? Progress Step 3:
I can explain how different waves can shape a variety of coastlines – Level 6.
Key Words
Waves
Constructive
Destructive
Fetch
Swash
Backwash
SUCCESS
Learn the new key term ‘Beach Profile’ and categorise the images into either constructive or destructive.
Progress Step 2:
I can identify the differences between constructive and destructive waves
– Level 5.
SUCCESS
Describe and explain the key differences between the two types of waves that can affect coastlines.
Progress Step 1:
I can describe how a wave is formed
– Level 4
SUCCESS
Complete and annotate the wave storyboard, adding pictures and diagrams to aid your understanding.
Coasts lesson - wave formation

4. Coasts lesson - wave formation
What causes waves?
If you blow across a bowl of hot soup – ripples will form. The same process forms waves in the sea. When wind blows across the sea, friction between the wind and water surface causes ripples, which are the beginning of waves.
Extension: Create and annotate a diagram using key geographical terminology.
LO1: I can describe how a wave is formed.
Coasts lesson - wave formation

5. The size of the wave depends on…
The strength of the wind.
How long the wind blows for.
The length of the water the wind blows over – called the fetch. A B
Extension: which waves would be stronger? Why?
A: Caribbean – UK
B: South America - Africa
LO1: I can describe how a wave is formed.

6. Coasts lesson - wave formation
Are waves circular?
Within a wave, each water particle moves in a circular motion.
Sometimes waves look like they are rolling.
Extension: Can you name any areas of the UK which are famous for surfing?
LO1: I can describe how a wave is formed.
Coasts lesson - wave formation

7. Coasts lesson - wave formation
Which parts of the British Isles will receive the biggest waves and why?
Think about the FETCH
(length of the water)
Extension: Which parts of the British Isles will receive the smallest waves and why?
Coasts lesson - wave formation
Fetch
The Republic of Ireland, and South-West England (Cornwall) receive the biggest waves as the fetch stretches across the Atlantic Ocean.
LO1: I can describe how a wave is formed.

8. Swash Vs Backwash Swash – movement of water up the beach
Backwash – movement of water down the beach
Extension: What might affect the swash and backwash?
Happens when the wave breaks: water rushes up the beach
Happens after the swash: the water is draining back into the sea.
LO1: I can describe how a wave is formed.
Coasts lesson - wave formation

9. Coasts lesson - wave formation
Breaking waves
As waves approach the shore, the bottom of the wave catches on the sea bed – causing the wave to build up (become taller). The wave then spills over (breaks) onto the beach.
Extension: Tsunami’s are a type of wave but are not caused by wind. Can you suggest what causes them?
Notice how the wave is ‘falling forward’ – it has built up and is breaking onto the shore.
LO1: I can describe how a wave is formed.
Coasts lesson - wave formation

10. How do waves form? Progress Step 1:
Next lesson:
Coastal Erosion
Key Words
Waves
Constructive
Destructive
Fetch
Swash
Backwash
Progress Step 1:
I can describe how a wave is formed
– Level 4
SUCCESS
Complete and annotate the wave storyboard, adding pictures and diagrams to aid your understanding.
Previous Lesson:
Uses of the coast
Coasts lesson - wave formation

11. Not all waves are the same
Not all waves are the same. The beach profile (shape of the beach) can be different depending on how the waves break
Constructive
Destructive
Build beaches. Material is carried up the beach in the strong swash and is deposited as the backwash is weak – Summer.
Destroy beaches. They are very high and frequent. The backwash is strong and transports beach material out to sea – Winter.
Extension: Which waves were surfers prefer and why?
LO2: I can identify the differences between constructive and destructive waves.

12. How do waves form? Progress Step 2:
Next lesson:
Coastal Erosion
Key Words
Waves
Constructive
Destructive
Fetch
Swash
Backwash
Progress Step 2:
I can identify the differences between constructive and destructive waves
– Level 5.
SUCCESS
Describe and explain the key differences between the two types of waves that can affect coastlines.
Progress Step 1:
I can describe how a wave is formed
– Level 4
SUCCESS
Complete and annotate the wave storyboard, adding pictures and diagrams to aid your understanding.
Previous Lesson:
Coast Introduction
Coasts lesson - wave formation

13. The Beach Profile Constructive Destructive
Coasts lesson - wave formation
Constructive
Destructive
Extension: Name examples of places you might find constructive and destructive beach profiles.
Gentle beaches are formed by constructive waves.
Steep beaches are formed by destructive waves.
LO3: I can explain how different waves can shape a variety of coastlines.

14. How do waves form? Progress Step 3:
Next lesson:
Coastal Erosion
Progress Step 3:
I can explain how different waves can shape a variety of coastlines – Level 6.
Key Words
Waves
Constructive
Destructive
Fetch
Swash
Backwash
SUCCESS
Learn the new key term ‘Beach Profile’ and categorise the images into either constructive or destructive.
Progress Step 2:
I can identify the differences between constructive and destructive waves
– Level 5.
SUCCESS
Describe and explain the key differences between the two types of waves that can affect coastlines.
Progress Step 1:
I can describe how a wave is formed
– Level 4
SUCCESS
Complete and annotate the wave storyboard, adding pictures and diagrams to aid your understanding.
Previous Lesson:
Uses of the coast
Coasts lesson 2 - wave formation

15. Analyse the shape of Tynemouth Beach. Answers in your book.
Extension: Do you think the local area beaches will have the same beach profile as Tynemouth? Explain your decision.
Tynemouth Beach:
Detailed description needed – then add
Gentle or steep?
Constructive or destructive waves?
How long is the fetch?
Coasts lesson - wave formation
LO3: I can explain how different waves can shape a variety of coastlines.

16. Analyse the shape of Tynemouth Beach. Answers in your book.
Extension: Do you think the local area beaches will have the same beach profile as Tynemouth? Explain your decision.
Tynemouth Beach:
Detailed description needed – then add
Gentle or steep?
Constructive or destructive waves?
How long is the fetch?
Coasts lesson - wave formation
LO3: I can explain how different waves can shape a variety of coastlines.