hydrosphere

Question 1

what is a drainage basin

Answer 1

a drainage basin is an area of land drained by a single river

Question 2

what physical factors can affect a drainage basin

Answer 2

the type, intensity, duration and frequency of precipitation.

Question 3

how does the type of precipitation affect a drainage basin

Answer 3

rain will move quicker through a drainage basin than snow which could lie on the ground for a period of time before melting

Question 4

how does the intensity of precipitation affect a drainage basin

Answer 4

heavy rain won’t immediately soak into the land as the land cannot absorb it at the rate that is falling; therefore, it is more likely to flow as overland flow and reach the river channel more quickly

Question 5

how does the duration of precipitation affect a drainage basin

Answer 5

prolonged rainfall will cause the land to become saturated and the water will flow overland when no more water can soak in

Question 6

what are the human factors that can affect a drainage basin

Answer 6

farming, deforestation, urbanisation, mining

Question 7

how does farming affect a drainage basins

Answer 7

increased crop yield reduces infiltration, since more water is being intercepted whereas when the crops are harvested the water will reach the river more quickly