Final answer:
Waves approaching a shore at an angle can bend and break nearly parallel with the shore due to wave refraction caused by the gradual decrease in wave speed as it enters shallower water near the shore.
Step-by-step explanation:
When waves approach a shore at an angle, they may bend and break nearly parallel to the shore. This phenomenon is called wave refraction.
Wave refraction is caused by the gradual decrease in wave speed as the wave enters shallower water near the shore. As a result, the part of the wave closest to the shore slows down more than the part farther from the shore, causing the wave to bend and break parallel to the shoreline.
Factors such as the shape of the coastline and the angle at which the waves approach can also influence the degree of wave refraction. In some cases, wind direction can also play a role in causing waves to break parallel to the shore, especially if the wind is blowing perpendicular to the shoreline.