Purpose:
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To help students observe winds effect on water(making waves), and the waves effect on the shore.(erosion)
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Materials:
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A rectangular shaped aquarium
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A ruler
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A fan
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A crayon to write on glass of aquarium
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Sand (preferably beach sand)
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Procedure:
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1. Add water to the aquarium until it is a little bit over half full.
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2. Have a student draw a line with the crayon to show where the water level is.
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3.Tape a ruler to the side of the aquarium and have the students measure the water depth in inches. Record on a sheet of paper.
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4. Add the beach sand to the aquarium. As you do this add the sand to one end of the aquarium sloping it down with your hand to form a beach.(this is used to simulate a shoreline) It is important that you have the sand level above the water level at the one end, if not the experiment will not work.
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5. Have the students again measure the water depth in inches and record on a sheet of paper.
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6. Have a student with a crayon draw the outline of the sand on the aquarium glass. Make sure to do this when the water in the aquarium is calm. It is important to draw the outline carefully so you can observe changes later.
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7. Set up a fan facing down on the water in the aquarium. The fan must be set up at the opposite end of the aquarium from the higher elevation of sand.
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8. Have the students predict what will happen when you turn on the fan? Will it matter if you turn the fan on different speeds? You can have them write these predictions or have an oral class discussion.
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9. Turn on the fan. You may use the different speeds. Observe the aquarium and what happens when the fan is on. Observe the waves and their shape. Leave fan on for a few minutes to allow the waves to take affect.
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10. Turn the fan off. Have the students look at the original outline of the sand that formed a shoreline. Have the students note the difference in the outline after the fan caused the waves to erode the sand somewhat.
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Results:
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As the fan is turned on it has the affect of creating waves. The fan at different speeds causes smaller and larger waves. This is designed to show how wind effects water. The waves created should crash, or break, against the shoreline you created with the sand. As the waves crash they should reform the outline of the sand. This is designed to represent the erosive effect waves have on the shore. It is important that you explain to the students that the erosion process takes a long time so as not to confuse them into thinking this is a quick process.
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Questions:
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1. What was the depth of the water(in inches) before the sand was put in?
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2. What was the depth of the water(in inches) after the sand was put in?
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3. What is the difference in depth(in inches)? Why is there a difference?
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4. What part of nature did the fan represent in the experiment?
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5. Was your prediction right about what effects the fan would have on the water?
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6. Did you notice a difference when the fan was on different speeds?
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7. What happened as the waves hit the sand?
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8. Was the outline of the sand different after the fan was turned off? How?
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Evaluation:
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The experiment is successful in giving the students a visual representation of the erosion process. The students should have an understanding of the direct correlation of wind, and its rate, to this process. The students should understand the effects wind has on water. They should also understand how the waves created effect the shaping of our coastlines(erosion). If they can explain the basics of this process in words, either orally or in written form, then the activity was a success.
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