Lab - Investigating Groundwater
8th Grade
Science
Name: ______________________________________ Date: _______________ Class Period: ___
OBJECTIVES:
 Determine the relationship between sediment size and porosity (the ability to store water / air
space)
 Determine the relationship between sediment size and permeability (the ability to transmit
water)
 Determine the relationship between sediment size and capillarity (the ability to retain/store
water)
HYPOTHESES (you need to complete this section BEFORE you begin):
1. As sediment size increases, porosity increases / stays the same / decreases. (circle one)
2. As sediment size increases, permeability increases / stays the same / decreases. (circle one)
3. As sediment size increases, capillarity increases / stays the same / decreases. (circle one)
Data Table 1
GRAVEL
COARSE SAND
FINE SAND
VOLUME OF
SEDIMENT
50 cm3
VOLUME OF WATER
TO FILL PORE
SPACES
15 cm3
Remember
% POROSITY
VOLUME OF WATER
DRAINED FROM
THE COVERED
SEDIMENT
CAPILLARITY
(water retained)
______%
1 cm3
______ cm3
TIME FOR 150 mL
DRAINAGE
5 minutes 45 sec.
(you need to convert
to seconds)
PERMEABILITY
_______ cm3
sec
ANALYSIS:
1. As grain size increases, porosity increases / stays the same / decreases. (circle
one)
2. As grain size increases, permeability increases / stays the same / decreases.
(circle one)
3. As grain size increases, capillarity increases / stays the same / decreases.
(circle one)
APPLICATION
1. Which type of sediment would have a higher capillarity (ability to retain/store water)
gravel or medium grained sand? Please EXPLAIN your reasoning.
Units are
Important!
Lab - Investigating Groundwater
8th Grade
Science
2. Toxic waste deposited in some areas 20-30 years ago is now becoming a problem. What
type of rock particle, large or small, would be needed to keep toxic waste away from the
groundwater? Please EXPLAIN your reasoning.
3. What kind of bedrock, one that has large particles or one with small particles, would
make a good location to have a landfill for garbage or toxic waste? Please EXPLAIN your
reasoning.
4. What size particles, large or small, would you want to put outside the foundation of
your new house to allow water to drain away from your basement and keep it dry?
Please explain your reasoning.
5. What errors did you and your lab group encounter as you conducted this lab?