Waves | Key terms

wave steepness

the ratio of the wave height to the wave length

fetch

distance over which the wind blows

wave frequency

the number of waves per minute

swash

a wave that travels up the beach 

wave crest

the highest point of a wave

constructive waves

waves with greater swash than backwash, lower height, and lower wave frequency

wave trough

the lowest point of a wave

backwash

a wave that travels down the beach

wave period

the time taken for a wave to travel between one wave length 

destructive waves

waves with greater backwash than swash, greater height, and greater wave frequency