Rivers

Question 1

What is the course of a river

Answer 1

The route which a river takes flowing to the sea

Question 2

Explain tributary

Answer 2

A small stream or river that joins up with a larger one.

Question 3

Explain confluence

Answer 3

The point where two rivers meet. (Tributary and large river)

Question 4

Explain the mouth of a river

Answer 4

The point where the water flows into the sea

Question 5

Explain. Estuary

Answer 5

The part of the river mouth that is tidal

Question 6

Name three features of a youthful river

Answer 6

Waterfall
V-shaped valley
Inter locking spurs

Question 7

Name three features of a mature river

Answer 7

Meanders
Floodplain
Wider valley

Question 8

Name three features of an old river

Answer 8

Oxbow lake
Delta
Levees

Question 9

Explain abrasion

Answer 9

The rivers load hits the bank and bed of the river wearing it away

Question 10

Explain attrition

Answer 10

Material is worn down ,smoothed and rounded as the particles bounce off one another

Question 11

When might a river deposit its load

Answer 11

It loses speed
When it flows out to sea
When the rivers volume decreases

Question 12

Explain how a v shaped valley is formed

Answer 12

It is formed by vertical erosion and weathering or mass movement.

Question 13

Explain how a waterfall is formed

Answer 13

A waterfall is formed by erosion. When a layer of hard rock lies over a layer of soft rock erosion causes the waterfall to form. The river erodes the soft rock eventually leaving an. Overhang and a waterfall. Because of the force of falling water of the waterfall sometimes erosion occurs at the bottom of a waterfall forming a plunge pool

Question 14

Explain a floodplain

Answer 14

A floodplain can occur on a mature or old stage of a river. It’s a flat stretch of land with a covering of a fine clay called alluvium. Many rivers burst their banks and deposit their load of alluvium as it loses all of its energy. Over time a large layer of alluvium builds up to form a floodplain.

Question 15

Explain how an oxbow lake is formed

Answer 15

An oxbow lake is formed when erosion continues on a meander. The meander neck gets narrower and narrower until the river cuts through. The strong current travels on the straight so deposition happens and cuts the two parts off from each other forming a horseshoe shaped lake

Question 16

Explain levees

Answer 16

These are raised banks of alluvium found along the banks of an old river. When a river floods it deposits its load on the floodplain and most of the load especially the heaven particles stay around the banks of the river these build up over time to form levees.

Question 17

Explain a delta

Answer 17

A delta is found at the mouth of a river and is a triangular shape. When a river flows out to sea it loses its energy and deposits its load. If it has a large load the current of the sea won’t carry it and it will clog the mouth of the river. The river breaks up into distributaries. The deposits build up to form deltas