What shape does the longitudinal profile of a typical stream follow? A longitudinal profile plots elevation of a streambed with distance,showing the streambed elevation from its highest point upstream to the lowest point at base level.
A) a straight diagonal line
B) a straight horizontal line
C) concave upward
D) a line with random high and low points

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The longitudinal profile of a typical stream follows a concave upward shape, meaning that it starts at a higher elevation at the source and gradually decreases in elevation as it flows downstream towards the base level. This is due to erosion and deposition processes along the stream channel, which result in a steeper gradient near the source and a more gentle gradient near the base level. A straight diagonal line or horizontal line would suggest a uniform gradient, which is not typically the case for a naturally flowing stream. A line with random high and low points would not provide a coherent representation of the stream profile.

What Shape Does the Longitudinal Profile of a Typical Stream