Lab CHECK: River Erosion Gizmo

The image above shows a raging mountain river in full flood. What do you think is making the water brown in color?

Answer explanation

The brown color of the water is likely due to sediment and debris being stirred up by the strong currents during the flood, which can include soil, rocks, and organic matter.

What impact do you think the flooding river will have on the surrounding landscape?

Answer explanation

The flooding river will likely reshape the landscape by eroding banks, depositing sediment, and altering habitats. This can lead to increased biodiversity but may also cause damage to existing structures and ecosystems.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

To begin, check that Mountain river and Short-term erosion are selected. The Gizmo shows a typical river that is moving through a hilly area. The two movie cameras allow you to observe different parts of the river up close. Click on the left movie camera. What do you see?

Answer explanation

Clicking the left movie camera reveals the river's fast-moving water, showcasing short-term erosion features like steep banks and sediment displacement, typical of a mountain river in a hilly area.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Sediments are small rock fragments such as sand or pebbles. What evidence do you see that sediments are being transported?

Answer explanation

Sediments are transported by water, wind, or ice. Evidence includes the presence of rounded pebbles in riverbeds, sorted sand in dunes, or layered deposits in sedimentary rocks, indicating movement from one location to another.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Now select the right movie camera to see the bank of the mountain river. What is happening to sediments on the bank?

Answer explanation

The right camera should capture the riverbank's dynamics. Sediments are likely being eroded and transported by the flowing water, leading to changes in the bank's shape and composition over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Label: First, get to know some of the different parts of a mountain river. Turn on Show labels. Label the image to the right, then fill in the word that goes with each description.

• A small stream that flows into a larger river: (a)  
• A place along a river where water drops straight down: (b)  
• A letter that describes the shape of a typical mountain valley: (c)  
• The side of a river: (d)  
• The bottom of a river: (e)  

• Tributary

• Waterfall

• V

• Riverbank

• Riverbed

Answer explanation

A tributary is a small stream that flows into a larger river. A waterfall is where water drops straight down. The letter 'V' describes the shape of a mountain valley. The riverbank is the side of the river, and the riverbed is the bottom.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Observe: Turn off Show labels. Next to "Release barrel," click Play. Observe how fast the barrel moves as it floats down the river. What happens when the barrel goes over the waterfall?

Answer explanation

As the barrel floats down the river, it moves quickly. When it goes over the waterfall, it drops rapidly due to gravity, illustrating the effect of free fall as it descends into the water below.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Calculate: The two red flags are 100 meters apart. The time at which the barrel passes the flag is shown. Remember, there are 60 seconds in a minute. How many seconds did it take for the barrel to go 100 meters?

(a)  

Calculate: To find the barrel's speed, use a calculator to divide the distance traveled (100 m) by the time it took the barrel to float 100 m. The units are meters per second (m/s). What is the speed of the barrel?

(a)  

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Record: Click Reset. Turn on Show data. The slope of the channel is how steep it is, or how many meters the riverbed drops for every horizontal kilometer. What is the slope of the river?

(a)