Paper 1: Living with the physical environment

Q4 Section C: Rivers

Revision of river shape and processes

This is revision so you will need to use your exercise books to help you complete some or all of these tasks. If you find you are missing work in your exercise book see your teacher or borrow the notes. If you are unsure of the work, ask for help. Work needs to be fully completed and handed in on time.Revision is the key to doing well in your examinations - the more effort you put in, the better you will understand the work in readiness for your Paper 1 examination.You will need to make some tables bigger so check that before you print the work.

Drainage basinsAdd the following labels to the diagram of a drainage basin:

Tributary Source MouthWatershed Confluence

Main key terms:

Draw a line or use colour to match the key term with the correct definition:1

Key term DefinitionDischarge The sediment in a river.

Load Water wearing away river bed/banks.

Erosion The water in a river.

Deposition Sediment being moved by a river.

Transportation Sediment being dropped by a river.

Erosion processes

Complete the table below:

Name of the erosion process:

Explanation of how it wears away the river bed/banks:

Optional task: Illustration/diagram to help you remember it

Hydraulic actionAbrasionAttritionCorrosion (also known as solution)

Transportation processes

Complete the table below:

Name of the transportation process:

Explanation of how it moves the load:

Optional task: Illustration/diagram to help you remember it

TractionSaltationSuspensionSolution

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Deposition

Use these words to explain why a river deposits its load:

energy drought decreasesshallow heavy dropped

Load is deposited (___________) when a river loses _____________ and the load becomes too __________ for it to carry. A river loses energy when:1. A river enters an area of _______________ water 2. Discharge ____________ (e.g. after a flood or during times of ____________).

Long profile – shows the gradient of a river from source to mouth

Describe how the gradient of a river changes as it moves from source to mouth

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Cross profiles – the side to side cross-section of a river channel and/or valley

The table below shows how cross profiles change as a river moves from source to mouth.Describe each cross profile.

COU

RSE

Cross profiles Description of the channel

Description of the valley

UPP

ERM

IDD

LELO

WER

COU

RSE

Cross profiles

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UPP

ERM

IDD

LELO

WER

Optional task: Describe how the cross profile changes as the river moves from source to mouth.

How do processes and features change as a river moves from source to mouth?

Upper course Middle course Lower course

Type of erosion

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Size of load

Shape of load

Transportation process

Landforms

Add each of these labels into the correct place on the long profile diagram above:

TYPE OF EROSION

SIZE OF LOAD SHAPE OF LOAD

TRANSPORTATION PROCESS

LANDFORMS

Lateral (sideways) erosion.

Load is very small – dissolved or in suspension.

Load is jagged with sharp edges.

Saltation and some suspension.

Deposition landformsLevees, flood plains and estuaries

A little lateral erosion occurs

Large boulders Load is becoming smoother

Mainly traction and some saltation.

Erosion landforms:Interlocking spurs, v shaped valley, gorges/waterfalls.

Vertical erosion (caused by hydraulic action)

Size getting smaller

Smooth, fine load.

Mainly suspension and solution.

Erosion and deposition landforms:Meanders and ox-bow lakes

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