Rivers

• What is the water cycle also known as?

  The hydrological cycle
• Why is the water cycle important for river systems?

  It is crucial for understanding the continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere.
• What are the key components of the water cycle?

  - Evaporation - Condensation - Precipitation - Infiltration - Surface runoff
• What is a drainage basin?


  An area of land drained by a river and its tributaries.
• What bounds a drainage basin?

  The watershed, which consists of the highest points around the basin.
• What is the process of evaporation in the water cycle?


  Water turns into vapor due to heat.
• What happens during condensation in the water cycle?

  Water vapor cools and forms clouds.
• What is precipitation in the water cycle?


  Water falls as rain, snow, etc.
• What is infiltration in the water cycle?

  Water soaks into the ground.
• What is surface runoff in the water cycle?

  Water flows over land into rivers.
• What are the components of the drainage basin system?

  The drainage basin system includes tributaries, the main channel, watershed, and surface runoff.
• What is a key feature of a drainage basin?

  The watershed.
• What is the confluence in a drainage basin?

  The point where tributaries join the main river.
• What is the source of a river?

  The starting point of the river, often in higher ground.
• What is the mouth of a river?


  Where the river meets the sea or a lake.
• What are the three main river processes?

  1. Erosion 2. Transportation 3. Deposition
• What are the four types of river erosion?

  Hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition, and solution.
• What is erosion in the context of river processes?

  The wearing away of the river bed and banks.
• What is hydraulic action?

  The force of water that dislodges material from the river channel.
• What is abrasion in river erosion?


  Scraping by sediment carried in the water.
• What is attrition in river erosion?

  The breaking down of sediment particles as they collide with each other.
• What is solution in river erosion?

  The dissolving of soluble rocks in the water.
• What is transportation in river processes?

  The movement of eroded material by the river.
• What are the four methods of river transportation?

  Traction, saltation, suspension, and solution.
• What is traction in river transportation?

  The rolling of larger sediment along the river bed.
• What is saltation in river transportation?

  The bouncing of smaller particles along the river bed.
• What is suspension in river transportation?

  The carrying of sediment within the flow of water.
• What is solution in river transportation?

  The dissolving of minerals in the water.
• What is deposition in river processes?


  The dropping of material when the river loses energy.
• What are the key features of the upper course of a river?

  1. V-shaped valleys 2. Interlocking spurs 3. Waterfalls 4. Gorges
• What type of landforms are typically found in the upper course of a river?

  V-shaped valleys, interlocking spurs, waterfalls, and gorges.
• What is the primary type of erosion in the upper course of a river?

  Vertical erosion.
• How are V-shaped valleys formed in the upper course of a river?

  By vertical erosion as the river cuts downwards.
• What is the term for the alternating ridges of land that a river flows around?

  Interlocking spurs.
• What are gorges in relation to river landforms?

  Deep, narrow channels formed by continued erosion at the base of a waterfall.
• What causes the formation of waterfalls in the upper course of a river?

  A sudden drop in the river bed, often due to differences in rock hardness.
• What processes contribute to the formation of upper course landforms?

  Vertical erosion and headward erosion.
• What is chemical erosion also known as?

  Solution
• What is the main process responsible for forming V-shaped valleys in the upper course of a river?

  Vertical erosion
• Why is chemical erosion not the primary process for forming V-shaped valleys?

  Because it is more significant in areas with soluble rocks like limestone