Rivers

Question 1

Source

Answer 1

River starts - high up

Question 2

Tributary

Answer 2

Small river that joins bigger river

Question 3

Confluence

Answer 3

Point where tributary meets main river

Question 4

Drainage basin

Answer 4

Area river collects water from

Question 5

Mouth

Answer 5

Where river meets sea

Question 6

River channel

Answer 6

Rivers route

Question 7

River load

Answer 7

What river is carrying

Question 8

Evaporation

Answer 8

Transfer of water vapour from land to air

Question 9

Transpiration

Answer 9

Transfer of water vapour from vegetation to air

Question 10

Condensation

Answer 10

Water vapour cools and condenses to form clouds

Question 11

Precipitation

Answer 11

Transfer of water from air to land (rain, snow)

Question 12

Surface run off

Answer 12

Water that runs off land

Question 13

Infiltration

Answer 13

Water that absorbs down into the ground

Question 14

6 upper course characteristics

Answer 14

Steep, narrow, shallow, sharp angular pebbles, v-shaped valley, waterfall

Question 15

8 middle course characteristics

Answer 15

Gentle sloping, getting wider, getting deeper, more rounded pebbles, oxbow lake, meander, flood plain, river cliff/beach

Question 16

Lower course 8 characteristics

Answer 16

More gentle sloping, widest, deepest, small pebbles, sand and silt, same as middle + levees and deltas

Question 17

Hydraulic action

Answer 17

Force of water wears away land

Question 18

abrasion

Answer 18

Load hit off land and wear it away

Question 19

Solution

Answer 19

Water chemically dissolves land

Question 20

Waterfall formation

Answer 20

1) in the upper course water flowing fast downhill. May be flowing over layers of hard and soft rock.
2) soft rock is less resistant so erodes quickly due to hydraulic action and abrasion (explain them)
3) continued erosion forms a plunge pool under hard rock, hard rock overhangs.
4) overhang eventually collapse due to gravity and river will retreat upstream. Leaves a steep gorge = waterfall. Collapsed rock deepens plunge pool due to abrasion

Question 21

V-shaped valley formation

Answer 21

1) fast flowing water causes vertical erosion. Erodes by abrasion and hydraulic action (explain them)
2) sides now exposed to weather. Freeze thaw action attacks sides. rain goes into cracks in rocks, temperature decreases and water freezes rocks which expand and break.
3) eventually, broken rock will slip into river due to gravity and leave a v-shape.
4) river will cut down further into the ground due to abrasion (explain) from fallen rocks. As river moves downstream flows around outcrops of rock called interlocking Spurs. V-shake valley is formed.

Question 22

Meander formation

Answer 22

1) in middle course land is flatter and river has slowed down so it starts to bend.
2) on outside of bend current is faster which causes erosion to happen on river bank - abrasion and hydraulic action (explain). This creates a river cliff.
3) on the inside of the bend it’s slower so lack of energy causes deposition creating a river beach.
4) overtime, this creates a larger called a meander, it’s deeper on the outside and shallow on the inside.

Question 23

8 things to think about when describing rivers and their valleys

Answer 23

• what course - look at area around it to work out
• direction - contour lines
• width
• slope - closeness of contour lines
• it’s straightness
• it’s landform - oxbow lake, meander etc.
• volume - number of tributaries joining
• does it join sea at any point
• always give grid references to back up points

Question 24

7 land uses in upper course

Answer 24

Hill sheep farming 
Forestry 
Sightseeing (waterfalls) 
Gorge walking 
Canoeing/white water rafting 
Reservoirs 
Hydro electric power

Question 25

6 land uses in middle course

Answer 25

Arable farms
Fishing 
Canoeing/white water rafting
Caravan and camp sites
Town
Beaches

Question 26

7 land uses in lower course

Answer 26

Dairy farms
Industry 
Arable 
Fishing
Caravan and camp sites 
Town 
Main roads
Beaches

Question 27

Hill sheep farming land use rivers explain

Answer 27

Hill sheep farming - upper - colder weather - sheep have thick wool to keep warm. Feet help sheep grip on rocky hills. Too steep for vehicles and can’t grow plants so sheep instead - low maintenance

Question 28

Forestry land use explain

Answer 28

Forestry - upper - poor soil - tress can survive with this and can deal with lots of rain. Don’t need upkeep ( to be kept in good condition or constantly check)

Question 29

Recreation and tourism land use explain

Answer 29

Upper - sightseeing - waterfalls, fishing and white water rafting
Middle/lower - gentler slopes so good access via roads and railways to lower and upper course features - lots of tourists can stay here in campsites and b and bs

Question 30

Heavy industry 1 land use explain

Answer 30

Raw materials can be transported in lower area by rivers to factories

Question 31

Water storage 1 land use explain

Answer 31

Upper - build dams in u shaped valleys

Question 32

Renewable energy land use explain

Answer 32

Upper - more space to build

- high up - sun and wind easily get to it - wind farms