The Solid Earth - Chapter 3: Running Water Flashcards
Streams are supplied by ___ and ___ ____
runoff
underground water
True or false: streams have sculpted much of our physical environment
true
This term is used to denote channelized flow of any size
Stream
The name for a main stream into which several tributaries flow
river
Flowing water makes its way to the sea under the influence of ____
gravity
Along straight stretches, the highest velocities are near the ___ of the channel just below the surface where friction is lowest
center
When a stream curves, the zone of maximum speed shifts towards its ___ ___
outer bank
What factors control the amount of erosional work a stream may accomplish?
gradient
shape, size, roughness of channel
discharge
the slope of a stream channel often expressed as the vertical drop of a stream over a fixed distance
gradient
The higher the gradient the more ___ available for streamflow
energy
A (rough/smooth) channel increases speed
smooth
The amount of water flowing past a certain point in a given unit of time
discharge
When discharge increases, the width or depth of the channel must increase or the water must flow ____
faster
In general, the stream will increase the size of the ___ by widening or deepening it
Channel
The cross sectional view of a stream from its source area to its mouth
longitudinal profile
