2007-03-17 02:12:41 · 4 answers · asked by Calico 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Sometimes that can happen, as when ocean waves are reflected from cliffs that jut out into the ocean, so that they actually flow "parallel to the beach", making interesting wave interference with normal incoming waves. But formation of beach waves comes from deep incoming ocean waves runing up against a ramped ocean bottom, which is what happens at beaches. If we were to have a beach somewhere where the slope is parallel to the beach instead of outward, then we can expect incoming waves running parallel to the beach. Needless to say, it's kind of hard for a beach to naturally form with a slope running parallel to the shoreline.
As an optical analogy, it's much like light waves crossing from air into a medium of a very high index of refraction. The final direction light takes in the medium is almost perpendicular to the surface, regardless of the angle of the incoming light.
2007-03-17 04:57:46 · answer #1 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A process called "wave refraction" causes incoming waves, regardless of their source, to turn toward a perpendicular to the beach. Wave refraction is caused by friction. When a waves gets to the point where it "feels" the ocean bottom it slows down (and the decrease in speed causes it to become taller). In the case of waves coming in at an angle to the beach the first part of the incoming wave slows but the part just a bit further out doesn't slow yet. The effect is that the wave begins to turn toward the perpendicular to the beach.
When the waves fail to turn completely toward the beach a Longshore Current is set up, and it "flows" in a direction away from the direction from which waves are coming.
2007-03-17 12:52:36 · answer #2 · answered by David A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ocean waves are caused by wind over the ocean surface. the direction of the waves is from the point of the most energy added( the more ocean, the more energy)even if it was parallel, the break of the waves reduces the energy at the point closest to the shore, causing a slight path change, pushing it towards the shore. waves parallel to the beach would require even wind pressure toward(or away from)a perfectly straight beach, with a perfectly straight shelf, all parallel to eachother. unless that situation is produced, it would not happen.
2007-03-17 09:38:06 · answer #3 · answered by shamus_jack 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most waves are fairly parallel to the beach. if they were at an angle, the beach would be washed away?
2007-03-17 09:20:53 · answer #4 · answered by Mr Smart 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋