What process describes sand-sized particles bouncing along a riverbed?

The process that describes sand-sized particles bouncing along a riverbed is known as saltation. This term specifically refers to the way that these particles are lifted from the riverbed by the flow of water and then fall back down, creating a bouncing motion. The momentum gained when the particles are lifted allows them to travel short distances before being pulled back down by gravity. This method of transport is important in river environments as it allows sediment to be moved downstream.

In contrast to saltation, traction refers to the movement of larger particles that roll or slide along the riverbed due to the force of water. Suspension involves smaller particles, such as silt and clay, being carried within the water column, making them invisible from the surface. Solution describes the process where minerals dissolve in water and are carried along in this dissolved state. Each of these terms describes different mechanisms of transport in a river system, highlighting the diverse ways that sediment can move through a fluvial environment.