As river velocity increases, the river's capacity to carry a larger sediment load also increases, which is described by the equation Q = Av, where Q is the flow rate, A is the cross-sectional area, and v is the average velocity.
The correct relationship between river velocity and sediment load is that as velocity increases, so does the river's capacity to carry a larger sediment load. Flow rate (Q) is directly proportional to the average velocity (v) of the river and its cross-sectional area (A). However, as a river widens and the current slows, the slow-moving water can result in more sedimentation.
Understanding the distinction between flow rate and velocity is essential to comprehend this relationship. The equation Q = Av, where A is the cross-sectional area and v is the average velocity, illustrates how more swift-moving water can carry more sediment, enhancing the river's capacity for sediment transport.