Which process involves the collision of rocks and pebbles causing wear?

Prepare for the IGCSE Coasts Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with hints and explanations for each query. Ready yourself for academic success!

The process of attrition involves the collision of rocks and pebbles, leading to wear and the gradual breaking down of these materials. As waves crash onto the shore, rocks and pebbles are tossed around and collide with each other. This repetitive action causes them to chip, smooth out, and reduce in size over time. The key characteristic of attrition is that it results specifically from mechanical interaction between sediment particles, which distinguishes it from other coastal processes such as hydraulic action, where water pressure itself causes erosion, or solution, which involves the chemical dissolution of materials. Deposition, on the other hand, refers to the process where sediment accumulates rather than wears away. Thus, attrition effectively captures the process of wear through the collision of particles in a coastal environment.

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