answersLogoWhite

0

A wave breaks when the bottom of the wave's crest reaches shallow water, causing the wave to slow down. This difference in speed between the top and bottom of the wave causes the wave to eventually crest and break. The shape of the shoreline, ocean floor, and wave size all play a role in how a wave breaks.

User Avatar

AnswerBot

1y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Physics

When do waves break?

Waves break when they reach shallow water, causing the top of the wave to move faster than the bottom. This difference in speed leads to the wave breaking and collapsing onto itself. Factors such as underwater topography, wave height, and wave steepness can also affect when waves break.


How long does it take for a wave to break?

The time it takes for a wave to break can vary depending on factors like the wave's size, shape, and the slope of the ocean floor. Typically, larger waves break more quickly, while smaller waves may travel further before breaking. Generally, a wave will break within seconds once it reaches shallow water.


How far from the shore would a wave break that had a wave length of 3 meters?

A wave typically breaks when its wave base reaches the depth of half its wavelength. Therefore, for a wave with a wavelength of 3 meters, it would break when the water depth is approximately 1.5 meters. The distance from the shore at which this occurs depends on the slope of the seafloor.


What happens to a wave when it approaches the shore?

As a wave approaches the shore, its wavelength decreases, causing the wave to increase in height. This is known as wave shoaling. Eventually, the wave will break as the water depth becomes shallow enough for the wave to no longer be stable.


If wave has a wave height of 5 meters in what depth of water would it begin to break?

Wave breaking typically occurs when the water depth is approximately equal to or less than 1.3 times the wave height. Therefore, a wave with a 5 meters height would likely begin to break in water depths of around 3.85 meters or less.

Related Questions

Why do break in shallow water?

Waves break in shallow water because the bottom of the wave decreases speed. The top of the wave will overtake the bottom and spill forward and starts to break the wave.


When do waves break?

Waves break when they reach shallow water, causing the top of the wave to move faster than the bottom. This difference in speed leads to the wave breaking and collapsing onto itself. Factors such as underwater topography, wave height, and wave steepness can also affect when waves break.


What kinds of wave do surfers look for?

at least head high and beginning to break from the crest at only one point and continung to break from that beginning break point in an orderly fashion across the rest of the wave...


At what depth do waves break?

When the depth is less than 1/2 a wave height, the wave crests fall forward, forming surf. It is said to Break.


How long does it take for a wave to break?

The time it takes for a wave to break can vary depending on factors like the wave's size, shape, and the slope of the ocean floor. Typically, larger waves break more quickly, while smaller waves may travel further before breaking. Generally, a wave will break within seconds once it reaches shallow water.


How far from the shore would a wave break that had a wave length of 3 meters?

A wave typically breaks when its wave base reaches the depth of half its wavelength. Therefore, for a wave with a wavelength of 3 meters, it would break when the water depth is approximately 1.5 meters. The distance from the shore at which this occurs depends on the slope of the seafloor.


How do wave work?

they make you go


What happens to a wave when it approaches the shore?

As a wave approaches the shore, its wavelength decreases, causing the wave to increase in height. This is known as wave shoaling. Eventually, the wave will break as the water depth becomes shallow enough for the wave to no longer be stable.


If wave has a wave height of 5 meters in what depth of water would it begin to break?

Wave breaking typically occurs when the water depth is approximately equal to or less than 1.3 times the wave height. Therefore, a wave with a 5 meters height would likely begin to break in water depths of around 3.85 meters or less.


What is the name of a wave that curves over and breaks?

A wave that curves over and breaks is called a "curling" or "cresting" wave. This process occurs when the wave's energy is concentrated at the crest, causing it to collapse and break.


What causes a breaking wave?

Waves out in the ocean don't break because they are in deep water, waves break when they reach shallower water and so the bottom of the wave catches on the bottom and causes a bit of friction which slows the wave down and cause it to fall over itself, which is breaking


When will the heat wave in South Carolina break?

Tomorrow at 3:47 in the afternoon.