Which term describes the flow of water back into the sea after a wave breaks on a beach?

Which term describes the flow of water back into the sea after a wave breaks on a beach?

• A. Backwash
• B. Swash
• C. Tide
• D. Rip current

Answer: (A)

After a wave breaks on the shore, the water that flows back out to sea is called backwash. This return flow moves seaward down the beach face as gravity drains the water (often carrying sediment with it), helping to shape the beach over time. This is different from swash, which is the water that rushes up the beach after the break and then drains back toward the sea. Tide refers to the regular rise and fall of sea level over hours due to the gravitational forces of the Moon and Sun, not the immediate water movement in the surf zone. Rip currents are strong, narrow seaward currents that flow away from the shore in the surf zone, not the general back-and-forth water movement of the backwash.

After a wave breaks on the shore, the water that flows back out to sea is called backwash. This return flow moves seaward down the beach face as gravity drains the water (often carrying sediment with it), helping to shape the beach over time. This is different from swash, which is the water that rushes up the beach after the break and then drains back toward the sea. Tide refers to the regular rise and fall of sea level over hours due to the gravitational forces of the Moon and Sun, not the immediate water movement in the surf zone. Rip currents are strong, narrow seaward currents that flow away from the shore in the surf zone, not the general back-and-forth water movement of the backwash.