why does the current of a river sometimes hit the banks instead of staying in the middle of the river?

Question

GCSE geograhy student

Question in full: Why does the current of a river sometimes hit the banks of the river instead of flowing down the middle of the channel?

Answer 1

Moving water has inertia...ie, keeps moving in a straight line. When it comes to a curve, it'll run right into the bank, wearing it away, and making an ever bigger curve. It's referred to as "meandering".

Also, hitting submerged objects or anomalies will alter the flow, causing a change in direction.

Answer 2

A river is joined by several tributaries and rivulets at various stages. They run as defferent streams in the same river for some length. Depending on their direction the water may hit banks.

Answer 3

It happens when a river makes a turn. The water tries to keep going straight because of its mass, thus 'hitting' the bank.