Unit Five - Weathering and Erosion - Running Water

Question 1

Running water is the most common agent of erosion

Answer 1

Running water is the most common agent of erosion

Question 2

Definition of Stream

Answer 2

Running water that is confined to a channel

Question 3

Definition of Tributary

Answer 3

Smaller streams that flow into a larger river

Question 4

Definition of Floodplain

Answer 4

Near Level Plain that borders the river.

(The land close to the river is fertile and often used for farming.

Question 5

Definition of Levee

Answer 5

1. Mound of sediment
2. Parallels the course of the river
3. Prevents flooding

Question 6

What are the three types of sediments that streams can carry?

Answer 6

Small - Dissolved in Solution
Medium - Suspended in Water
Large - Rolling, bouncing, sliding on the bottom of stream

Question 7

Definition of Stream Velocity

Answer 7

The speed of the stream

Question 8

Definition of Gradient

Answer 8

Slope of the stream

Question 9

Definition of Discharge

Answer 9

Amount of water that flows past a given point at a given time

Question 10

Definition of Channel Shape

Answer 10

Shape of the bed where the running water is confined

Question 11

What are the variations of velocity in a stream?

Answer 11

Straight River - Greatest velocity is in the middle

Curved River - Greatest Velocity is in Outside Curve

Outside Curve - Erosion occurs

Inside Curve - Deposition occurs

Question 12

Definition of V - Shaped Valley

Answer 12

Downcutting (vertical erosion) of a stream. Young river in mountains

Question 13

Definition of Meanders

Answer 13

Fancy word for curves in a river

As a stream gets older, it begins to shift its course in a series of bends as a result of erosion and deposition.