Sedimentation can be observed in layers of exposed rock.
Sedimentation is a topic of study in physical science. It is the deposition of sediment by settling of a suspended material. A science project can help students to understand the process of sedimentation. There are several instructive projects you can choose from that can be conducted as a class or individually at home.
The Process of Sedimentation
Experiment with the process of sedimentation on particle size, shape and texture. Obtain different particles that vary in size, type and texture, such as sand, gravel and rocks. Make sure to keep a sample of each material separate in a labeled bag with the name of the material and location where you obtained it. Get a plastic water bottle and cut the top of the bottle off. Place your sample into the water bottle and fill the bottle slowly with water. Shake the mixture about 20 times. Let the bottle sit for three days or until the water is completely evaporated and the soil is hard. Then, cut the bottle open and observe the cross-section of layers that are formed. Create a table indicating the number of layers, thickness, color and shape.
Settling Rate of Particles of Sediments
Experiment to investigate the settling rate of particles from sediment. In order to conduct this experiment, pour two cups of water into two one-liter plastic jars. Add half a cup of flour to one jar and half a cup of pinto beans to the other jar. Place a lid on each jar. Shake the jars for 30 seconds each. Observe and record the settling rate. Create a table for time versus flour and beans. Record results for total particle settling times every 20 minutes, starting with zero minutes, for one hour or the length of time for complete particle settling. Compare results between the flour and beans. The settling rate of beans should be faster than that of flour since flour represents fine-grained sand. Larger particles, such as beans, will settle at a faster rate.
Sediment Distribution Field Study
Conduct a field investigation on sediment distribution in a local creek or stream for a science project. Make sure the creek is shallow and and accessible. In this experiment observe and record sediment distribution along a creek or stream. Pick at least three locations along the creek or stream and take measurements of the thickness of sediments and the number of layers on the sides of the creek. Note any variation in the velocity of the current. Take pictures of the sediments and try to identity the layers. For this project, a three-panel poster presentation should be created to show your materials, methods and results and to exhibit factors affecting sedimentation.
Pitcher Full of Material
Fill a large plastic pitcher with equal amounts of soil, sand, rocks, pebbles and seashells. Mix the particles together with a spoon. Add three cups of water to the mixture and secure the pitcher with a lid. Shake and invert the pitcher to mix the contents. Let the pitcher sit for at least an hour. Observe the layers of material and the settling pattern. Record your results. Indicate which materials are on the bottom and top. Compare the position of the materials to sedimentation patterns found on the ocean floor or the bottom of a river. You should observe heavier materials, such as rocks and pebbles, settling first before fine materials, such as sand.
Tags: creek stream, settling rate, along creek, along creek stream, Create table
