Which is an example of a physical characteristic of a place?​(1 point)

Responses

​the annual profits of a local mining operation

​​the historical census data of a town​

​​a planned suburban office park

​a river whose path shifts from year to year

a river whose path shifts from year to year

A river whose path shifts from year to year is an example of a physical characteristic of a place.

A river whose path shifts from year to year is an example of a physical characteristic of a place. To understand why, let's break down what a physical characteristic means.

A physical characteristic refers to the natural features or attributes of a place. It focuses on the physical aspects of a location that are created through natural processes, such as landforms, climate, vegetation, and bodies of water. These physical features are intrinsic to the place and exist regardless of human influence.

In the given responses, the annual profits of a local mining operation and the historical census data of a town are not physical characteristics, but rather economic and demographic indicators, respectively, which are influenced by human actions.

On the other hand, a river whose path shifts from year to year is a physical characteristic as it describes the behavior and movement of a natural feature. Rivers can change their course over time due to erosion, sediment deposition, or other natural forces. This shifting path is part of the physical geography of the area and is a characteristic unique to the place.

Therefore, an example of a physical characteristic of a place would be a river whose path shifts from year to year.