Final answer:
The berm solution impacts energy flows and sea level by reducing wave energy and protecting the land behind the berm. Waves carry kinetic energy, which is transferred to the berm as potential energy. Water and sediment particles are involved in this energy transfer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The berm solution can impact energy flows and sea level in several ways. A berm is a raised barrier or mound of sand or soil that is built along a coastline. It serves as a natural or man-made defense against wave action and storm surges. When waves crash against a berm, they lose some of their energy, resulting in reduced erosion and protection of the land behind the berm.
The energy transfers that occur when waves interact with a berm can be described using the principles of conservation of energy.
The waves carry kinetic energy, which is transferred to the berm as potential energy. The equation that represents this transfer of energy is
KE of waves = PE of berm
The types of particles involved in this process are water and sediment. As waves approach the berm, they carry water particles and sediment particles (such as sand). The energy of the waves causes the water particles and sediment particles to move and interact with each other, resulting in the transfer of energy.