Book 2, Question 134 · Video
Why Do Rivers Flow?
Have you ever watched a leaf float away down a stream? Gravity pulls water downhill! Streams join and become rivers. Rivers carve valleys as they go. Some rivers are short, and som
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do rivers flow?
The Big Idea
Have you ever watched a leaf float away down a stream? Gravity pulls water downhill! Streams join and become rivers. Water seeks lower ground, so it keeps moving until it can go no lower. Every river you have ever seen began as raindrops or melting snow.
Rain and Snowmelt
Step one: rain falls and snow melts. Rain falls in the hills and mountains, and snow melts when it warms. That water has to go somewhere. Gravity never takes a day off, so the water keeps flowing. Even a tiny trickle is on its way down.
Water Finds a Slope
Step two: water finds a slope. Gravity pulls the water down, so it flows along any slope it finds. It slides through cracks, gullies, and hollows, on its way down. That is why rivers grow wider as they get closer to the sea.
Streams Join
Step three: streams join. Small streams flow together, like tiny roads joining a big highway. As more streams join, the flow gets wider and stronger, and becomes a river.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at a river's journey! First, rain and snowmelt begin the flow. Second, the water finds a slope. Third, streams join. And fourth, the river runs to a lake or the sea.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Rivers carve valleys as they go. Some rivers are short, and some are thousands of kilometers long. Over thousands of years, moving water wears away rock and soil. The Grand Canyon was carved by a river over millions of years. Rivers bring fresh water to people, plants, and animals.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! After it rains, go outside with a grown-up. Watch puddles and little streams on the ground. Notice which way the water flows. Can you explain why it goes that way?
Outro
Rivers flow because gravity pulls the water all the way to the sea! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!