When waves reach shallow water, they are often bent and tend to become parallel to the shore. This process is termed __________.
A)refraction
B)translation
C)reflection
D)oscillation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When waves reach shallow water, they encounter a change in bathymetry, which causes a change in wave speed. This change in speed results in a bending of the wave fronts, a process called refraction. As a result, waves become more parallel to the shore, which is observable in the formation of longshore currents and the transport of sediment along the coast. Translation and oscillation do not accurately describe the process of wave bending when they reach shallow water, while reflection only occurs when waves bounce off a boundary, which does not necessarily happen in this scenario.

When Waves Reach Shallow Water, They Are Often Bent and Tend