29-05-2013, 04:49 PM
Explain 5 factors that would affect the speed of a river (5m)
Explain 5 factors.pdf (Size: 26.52 KB / Downloads: 17)
The gradient of the river
One of the factors that affect the speed of the river would be the gradient. The steeper the
river , the faster the speed of the river. This is because the gravitational pull from the earth
is stronger. Likewise, the gentler the gradient, the slower the speed of the river as the
gravitational pull will be weaker
Meandering of the river
Meanders of the river affects will affect speed of the river. The more the river meanders
while it travels, there will be more water crashing into the sides of the meanders which
causes more friction between the water and the river banks. Thus slowing down the speed
of the river. Hence, the lesser meanders there are,the less friction there is in the flow of the
water and hence the speed is faster.Similarly, the more meanders there are,the more the
friction and the slower the speed of the river.
Wetted Perimeter
The wetted perimeter affects the speed of the river. The wetted perimeter is the area which
the river bed and the shore is in contact with the water . The larger the wetted perimeter
is the slower the river gets . The smaller the wetted perimeter is , the faster the river is . A
large wetted perimeter means that . This means a higher amount of friction which then
slows the river . Thus , the wetted perimeter affects the speed of the river.
Direction of wind
The direction of the wind also affects the speed of the river. If the direction of the wind
blows against the flow of the river, it would create friction against the surface of the river,it
contributes to slowing down the river. However, if the wind blows in favor of the river flow,
the flow of the river will be faster as the friction will push it faster.
Temperature of the river
Another one of the factors affecting the speed of the river would be the temperature. When
the temperature of the river water is higher, the river would move faster as the molecules
of the water in the river will be heated up. Thus, the heat energy will cause the river to
move faster.