Final answer:
On the outside of a meander, the faster water velocity results in erosion, while on the inside, the slower velocity causes deposition. The swift flow on the outside bends erodes riverbanks, and the slower flow on the inside allows sediment to settle.
Step-by-step explanation:
On the outside of a meander, the water velocity is faster and causes erosion, and on the inside of a meander, the water velocity is slower, which causes deposition.
When a river curves, the centrifugal force pushes the water toward the outer bend, causing the flow to be swifter on the outside, where the resistance from the shore is less. This swift water erodes the bank and leads to the undercutting and collapse of material into the river channel, which is then carried away downstream. In contrast, on the inner bend where the velocity of the water is reduced, there is less energy to support sediment in suspension. As a result, the sediment settles, creating areas of deposition where the riverbed builds up. This process of erosion on the outer bend and deposition on the inner bend often results in the classic sinuous or 'S' shaped bends known as meanders.