Question

If a storm causes more sediment (dirt) to flow into a river than the river can carry, the sediment will be deposited in the channel. This will make the channel narrower than it was originally. However, as the channel's width decreases, the river's velocity will increase, and this will eventually cause the newly deposited sediment to be eroded. As a result, the original width of the river, as well as normal flow velocities, will be reestablished. In this example, the width of the river channel and the processes controlling it can be considered an example of

A) steady-state equilibrium.
B) positive feedback.
C) negative feedback.
D) both A and B
E) both A and C

Answer 1

The width of the river channel and the processes controlling it can be considered an example of both steady-state equilibrium and negative feedback.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this example, the width of the river channel and the processes controlling it can be considered an example of both steady-state equilibrium and negative feedback.

Steady-state equilibrium:

1. When a storm causes more sediment to flow into the river, the sediment is deposited in the channel, making it narrower than before.
2. The narrower channel increases the river's velocity, which eventually erodes the newly deposited sediment.
3. This erosion restores the original width of the river and normal flow velocities, establishing a steady state.

Negative feedback:

1. The initial deposition of sediment narrows the channel, but the increased velocity due to the narrowing leads to erosion.
2. This erosion counteracts the deposition and prevents the channel from becoming too narrow.
3. As a result, the river maintains a balanced state between sediment deposition and erosion, exhibiting negative feedback.