Changing River Characteristics

Question 1

Gradient

Answer 1

Becomes less steep

Question 2

Cross-sectional area

Answer 2

Becomes greater

Question 3

Discharge

Answer 3

Becomes greater

Question 4

Processes of erosion, transportation and deposition

Answer 4

There is lots of erosion in the upper course.
Erosion, transportation and deposition all take place in the middle course.
Some erosion and transportation takes place in the lower course, but mostly deposition takes place here.

Question 5

Size and roundness of the load

Answer 5

Particles become smaller and more rounded

Question 6

Explain why the load becomes smaller as you move downstream.

Answer 6

Particles knock together through the process of attrition and break up into smaller pieces.

Question 7

Explain why the load becomes more rounded as you move downstream.

Answer 7

Sharp angular edges get knocked off by abrasion

Question 8

Explain why the gradient becomes less steep as you move downstream.

Answer 8

There is more vertical erosion near the source and more lateral erosion near the mouth.

Question 9

Explain why the river becomes deeper as you move downstream.

Answer 9

The river vertically erodes as it travels.

Question 10

Explain why the river becomes wider as you move downstream.

Answer 10

The river laterally erodes as it travels.

Question 11

Explain why river discharge increases as you move downstream, and how this impacts the water flow.

Answer 11

More water flows into the river as it passes each tributary, which causes the water to travel faster with less friction.