The Physical World Revision Notes

The Physical World This unit is all about Rivers, Coasts and Glaciers and how these physical entities change the land on which we live over thousands of years. In particular, you will need to know in detail how various land forms are created, and the processes that help to create the landforms. A Landform is a particular shape of the land resulting from thousands of years of change. A process is a continuing force that can change the natural world.

Rivers – How they change from source to mouth Outline all of the ways that the following change as a river travels from source to mouth. Say why they change. Velocity Stone shape and size Depth Width Gradient

Rivers – How they change from source to mouth The diagram on the right shows the major changes downstream. Describe the main features of the diagram. Describe the major landforms and processes found in; The Source region The middle valley The lower valley Watershed Interlocking spur A diagram of the drainage basin

Landforms in upper River Valleys - Waterfalls Explain how a water fall is created.

Landforms in upper River Valleys – V-shaped valleys Explain how vertical erosion can result in v shaped valleys and Interlocking spurs.

Landforms in the middle valley – Meanders and Ox-bow lakes Produce a flow chart on how meanders can result in Ox-bow lakes.

Landforms in the middle valley – Floodplains and Levees How do floods result in floodplains and Levees? What role does deposition play in their formation?

Landforms in the lower valley – Estuaries and Deltas What are the 2 main forms of Deltas? How are they different?

What are Glaciers? Why do glaciers form?

How do Glaciers Move?

How do glaciers erode? Describe how plucking works.

How do Glaciers erode? Describe how abrasion works.

How Corries Form How do corries form? Which processes help in their formation?

How Corries form

Landforms Created by Glaciers. How do glaciers create U shaped valleys?

Glacial Landforms How are interlocking spurs found in river valleys transformed into truncated spurs found in glaciated valleys?

Glacial Landforms Hanging Valleys What is hanging valley? These are the valleys of tributary (smaller) glaciers that are left high above the floor of the main glacier. You often get waterfalls here.

The Changes Glaciers make to River Valleys Describe how glaciers transform river valleys.

Additional Diagrams

The coastal system Coasts are dynamic environments that have inputs of sediment and losses of sediment. The major processes are; Erosion- Hydraulic action, corrosion, abrasion, attrition. Weathering – Chemical, biological and physical. Define all of these key terms.

Coastal Landforms - Erosion How are cliffs and wave cut platforms created by sea erosion processes?

Coastal Landforms - Erosion Describe how over time a cliff face can be transformed into a stack. Stacks

Coastal Landforms - Erosion Produce a flow chart on Cove formation. Softer rock Harder Rock Lulworth Cove

Coastal landforms - Deposition Compare destructive and constructive waves and the beaches they create.

Coastal Landforms -Deposition What is longshore drift and how does it help create Spits?