What term refers to heavy material such as large boulders that are rolled along the river bed?

What term refers to heavy material such as large boulders that are rolled along the river bed?

• A. Suspension
• B. Traction
• C. Tributary
• D. Waterfalls

Answer: (B)

The concept at play is how different sizes of bedload move along a river. Heavy material like large boulders is kept in contact with the riverbed and is rolled or dragged along by the current. This movement along the bed is called traction. It distinguishes itself from suspension, where fine particles are carried high in the water column, and from other terms like tributary (a smaller river feeding into a larger one) or waterfalls (a vertical drop in the river). So heavy, rolling bedload is described by traction.

The concept at play is how different sizes of bedload move along a river. Heavy material like large boulders is kept in contact with the riverbed and is rolled or dragged along by the current. This movement along the bed is called traction. It distinguishes itself from suspension, where fine particles are carried high in the water column, and from other terms like tributary (a smaller river feeding into a larger one) or waterfalls (a vertical drop in the river). So heavy, rolling bedload is described by traction.