1. 4 Labs, 1 Period
Ready?
Set?

2. Lab 3-1 Stream Abrasion
Objective – determine the factors which affect the rate at which rocks abrade in running water

3. Procedure
Place 100 grams each of limestone, quartz and halite chips in a container with equal amounts of water
Shake for 3 minutes, then weigh the remaining chips.
Put chips back in the container and repeat

4. Conclusions The __________chips weather the most
HALITE
The __________chips weather the most
The __________chips weather the least
The halite chips __________ because they are soluble in water
The limestone chips _________ because they have a low __________.
The quartz chips don’t weather very much because they have a high ___________ .
QUARTZ
DISSOLVE
ABRADE
HARDNESS
HARDNESS

5. Write this on your paper
Four factors that affect weathering rate are:
Hardness
Solubility
Angularity
Time of abrasion

6. Lab 3-2 Streamflow
Objective – determine the relationship between stream velocity, volume and slope.
Determine how these affect a stream’s ability to carry sediment

7. Procedure
Construct a model stream using a piece of gutter placed at an angle over a sink.
Turn on water at a low velocity, measure how long it takes bits of paper to travel the length of the “stream”
Vary the angle of the “stream” and the velocity of the water.

8. Conclusions
The greater the slope of a stream the ___________ the velocity of the water.
The greater the volume of water in a stream the ____________ the velocity
The greater the slope of a stream, the ___________ the size of the particles it can carry
The greater the volume of water in a stream, the __________ the size of the particles it can carry
GREATER
GREATER
GREATER
GREATER

9. Draw four qualitative graphs on your paper
Slope of a stream vs. velocity of water
Volume of water vs. velocity of water
Slope of stream vs. particle size
Volume of water vs. particle size
Velocity of water
Slope of a stream

10. 3-3 Deposition of Sediments
Objective – determine the factors that control the rate of sediment deposition in quiet water

11. Procedure Fill a plastic column with water
Drop sediment of various sizes, density, and shapes into the column, measuring the time it takes for each to hit the bottom.

12. Conclusions The larger the sediment, the ________ the settling time
The larger the sediment the _________ the settling rate
The denser the sediment the ________ the settling time
The denser the sediment the ________ the settling rate
SMALLER
FASTER
SMALLER
FASTER

13. Conclusions The rounder the sediment, the _________ the settling time
SMALLER
The rounder the sediment, the _________ the settling time
The rounder the particles the ________ the settling rate
FASTER

14. Draw SIX qualitative graphs on your paper
Sediment size vs. settling time
Sediment size vs. settling rate
Density of sediment vs. settling time
Density of sediment vs. settling rate
Roundness of sediment vs. settling time
Roundness of sediment vs. settling rate

15. 3-4 Model of an Erosional-Depositional system
Objective – analyze the patterns of erosion and deposition using a model of a stream

16. Procedure Construct a model of a stream using a stream table
Make observations of the stream and the delta as the stream evolves

17. Conclusions As streams evolve, they create meanders
When a stream enters a quiet body of water, a delta forms

18. Draw two qualitative graphs on your paper
Stream age vs. width of valley bottom
Stream age vs. stream gradient

19. Label Locations of Erosion and Deposition

20. Draw sediment that is deposited on the bottom when a stream enters a quiet body of water.