STATION 1

Name:______________________________________ Date:____________________________

AGENTS OF EROSION

I. Problem: What causes soil erosion?

II. Materials

moist soil or clay 12 coins watering cup with holes in the spout
water large container ruler

III. Procedures

1. Form a mountain of soil that is about 3 inches across and about 6 inches tall in a
large container.

2. Press the coin into the chips into the surface of the soil. Place them at different
angles with the edge protruding out, leaving about half of the coin showing.

3. Make a rainstorm by pouring water on the mountain with the watering cup.

4. Record your observation on your notebook.

IV. Data

1. Do the coins stick out or less when you pour water on the mountain?
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2. What does the bottom of the mountain look like?

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3. How is erosion similar to this?

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V. Conclusion

What causes erosion in the activity? Why?

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 STATION 2
Name:______________________________________ Date:____________________________

AGENTS OF EROSION

I. Problem: What causes soil erosion?

II. Materials

sand large bin small- sized motor fan

III. Procedures

1. Form an approximately 5-or 6- inch tall pile of sand in the center of the box.
2. Use the fan to gently blow air from end of the box.
3. Record your observation on your notebook.

IV. Data

1. Did the pile of sand move? Explain your answer.

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2. How does the wind cause soil erosion?
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V. Conclusion

What causes erosion in the activity? Why?

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 STATION 3
Name:______________________________________ Date:____________________________

AGENTS OF EROSION

I. Problem: What causes soil erosion?

II. Materials

modeling clay ice cube a large plastic bag

water

III. Procedures

1. Make a ball of clay that is about 1-2 inches in diameter.

2. Flatten the clay onto the surface of the tray.
3. Put an ice cube against the flattened clay and move it back and forth several
times.
4. Record your observations.
5. Place a small pile of sand on the clay and then place a small pile of sand for 1-2
minutes.
6. Pick up the ice cube and observe the surface of the cube that was touching the
sand, and record your observation.
7. Place the same side of the ice cube on the sandy part of the clay and move
back and forth several times.
8. Remove the ice cube and wipe the sand from the surface of the clay.
9. Observe the texture of the surface of the clay.

IV. Data

1. After doing step 4, does anything happen to the clay when you rub the ice cube
on it? Explain your answer.
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2. After, doing step 6, how does the bottom of the ice cube look like?
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3. What does the texture of the surface of the clay feel like after doing step 8?
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4. How do glaciers erode mountain?

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V. Conclusion

What causes erosion in the activity? Why?

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