2. Why are waves generally larger in the south west than in the south east? Wave energy depends on the fetch , the strength of the wind and the length of time over which the wind has blown. fetch = the distance over which the wind has blown The longer the fetch the stronger the wave.

3. wavelength The bottom of the wave touches the sand, slows down and the top of the wave topples over. This causes the wave to break. So what happens when a wave hits the beach?