Final answer:
Factors affecting the speed of ocean waves include wind speed and duration, water depth, and wave length.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speed of ocean waves is affected by several factors:
- Wind speed and duration: The stronger and longer the wind blows, the larger and faster the waves will be. Strong winds transfer more energy to the water, creating larger waves.
- Water depth: Waves slow down as they enter shallow water due to friction with the seabed. Therefore, shallower water will result in slower waves.
- Wave length: Longer waves tend to move faster than shorter waves. This is because the water particles in longer waves have to travel a greater distance in the same amount of time.
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