Hydrosphere: Can-do checklist
Physical Environments By the end of this topic you should be able to:
• draw a diagram to show the global hydrological cycle
• describe the global hydrological cycle shown on a diagram
• explain how balance is maintained within the hydrological cycle
• explain how water moves within drainage basins.
Use an OS map to:
• describe the physical characteristics of a river and its valley
• compare and contrast the physical features of two rivers and their valleys
• annotate a base map to show the physical characteristics of a river and its valley.
With the aid of a diagram(s):
• explain the formation of selected physical features of a river and its valley: e.g. waterfall, levee, river terrace, meander, braiding, flood plain, alluvial fan
• explain the effects of flowing water in terms of erosion, transportation and deposition in the upper, middle and lower course of a river
• describe and explain the patterns shown on a river hydrograph.
GMTs
• annotate sketches and diagrams to describe and explain river features
• construct and analyse river hydrographs to show the relationship between rainfall and river flow
• describe methods used to collect river-flow data: e.g. measuring depth, width, speed, gradient
• describe methods used to present river-flow data: e.g. labelling sketches, drawing cross-sections, showing speed, drawing graphs including scattergraphs to show relationship between speed and gradient
• comment on the accuracy of statements which refer to river characteristics.
Useful Websites
Physical Geography Net- Hydro Cycle