7 Questions
Explain why the river in the upland areas flows over steep, hard rocks?
The river in the upland areas flows over steep, hard rocks due to the elevated terrain and geological composition.
Describe the channel of the river in the upper course.
In the upper course, the river's channel is narrower, shallower, and V-shaped with rough edges.
Why does the river become wider in the lowlands?
The river becomes wider in the lowlands due to lateral erosion of the riverbanks by abrasion and hydraulic action.
Explain the process that leads to the load (stones, pebbles) becoming rounder and smoother in the lowlands.
The load (stones, pebbles) become rounder and smoother in the lowlands due to abrasion from rubbing against the riverbed and sides.
What causes the increase in discharge in the lowlands of the river?
The discharge increases in the lowlands due to water from tributaries (small streams) and groundwater seeping into the river.
How does the average velocity of the river change as it moves from the upper course to the lower course?
The average velocity of the river increases as it moves from the upper course to the lower course.
Explain why the channel of the river is shallower in the upper course.
The channel of the river is shallower in the upper course due to the steep gradient and limited erosion capacity.
Study Notes
River Characteristics in Upland and Lowland Areas
Upland Areas
- Rivers in upland areas flow over steep, hard rocks due to the landscape's high relief and rapid runoff.
- The channel in the upper course is narrow, steep-sided, and has a high gradient.
Lowland Areas
- Rivers become wider in the lowlands due to the gentler slope, increased sediment load, and reduced velocity.
- The process of attrition, where stones and pebbles collide and wear each other down, leads to the load becoming rounder and smoother in the lowlands.
- The increase in discharge in the lowlands is caused by the river's smaller gradient, allowing it to collect and transport more water from surrounding areas.
- The average velocity of the river decreases as it moves from the upper course to the lower course due to the decrease in gradient.
Channel Characteristics
- The channel of the river is shallower in the upper course due to the high gradient, which leads to a faster flow and increased erosion, resulting in a narrower and deeper channel.
Learn about the characteristics of a river as it flows through the upper, middle, and lower courses. Understand how the river profile changes from steep, hard rocks in the upland areas to wider, deeper, and smoother channels in the lowlands.
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