Water Cycle and Rivers

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Drainage Basin
A drainage basin is the area of land drained by a river and its tributes
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Source
The starting point of a stream or river, often a spring or lake
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Tributary
A stream or small river that joins a larger stream or river
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Confluence
A point where 2 streams or rivers meet
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Watershed
The boundary of a drainage basin separates one drainage basin from another and is usually high land, such as hills and ridges
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Course
The route the river takes
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Mouth
The point where a river leaves its drainage basin and flows into the sea
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Gradient
A measure of how a steep a slope or line is
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Cross Profile
A cross section (sideways view) of the river valley
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Weathering
The breakdown and decay of rock by natural processes, usually acting on the river valley sides
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Mechanical weathering - Freeze thaw
This happens when rain enters cracks or gaps in the rock and then freezes. The water expands as it turns to ice and then exerts pressure on the rock, causing it to break
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Chemical weathering - Acid rain
All rain is slightly acidic. If the air is polluted by factories and vehicles, it can become more acidic. When rain falls on the rocks, the acid in it can react with the weak minerals, causing them to dissolve and the rocks to decay
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Biological weathering - Plant roots
The roots of plants, especially trees, can grow into cracks in a rock and split the rock apart
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Evaporation
Water turning into water vapour
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Evapotranspiration
The total sum of evaporation from the Earth's surface together with the transpiration of plants
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Groundwater flow
Movement of water underground through permeable rocks
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Infiltration
Seeping of water down into the soil
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Interception
Collection of water by vegetation
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Precipitation
Moisture that falls from the atmosphere in any form
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Surface runoff
All water flowing on the earth's surface
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Sustainable
Capable of existing in the long term
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Throughflow
Movement of water sideways through soil
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Transpiration
Loss of moisture from plants
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Water table
The upper level of underground water
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

The starting point of a stream or river, often a spring or lake

Back

Source

Card 3

Front

A stream or small river that joins a larger stream or river

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

A point where 2 streams or rivers meet

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

The boundary of a drainage basin separates one drainage basin from another and is usually high land, such as hills and ridges

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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