Erosion Lab
Name: __________________________
4th grade PSI
Lab Question
How are new landforms created through erosion and deposition?
Before You Begin
What is erosion?
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How might erosion and deposition be related?
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Purpose:
During this experiment, you will create a model of a landform
being eroded. You will observe waters’ power to shape the
surface of Earth. Water can change one landform by washing
away sediment and then depositing it somewhere else to create a
new landform.
Remember to answer Lab Questions during class while working
on the lab. (These are located within the Procedure section of the
lab.) Conclusion Questions should be answered after the lab is
complete.
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4th Grade PSI Science
Earth Systems
Materials:
 dirt
 small gravel
 sand
 deep baking dish or pan
 book
 pencil
 paper cups
Procedure:
1. Pour sand, dirt, and gravel in layers at one end of the dish. This
is your landform. Use your hand to smooth the land. Leave the
other end of the dish empty.
2. Dip your fingers into the water and slowly drip water over the
land. Repeat this until the land is wet.
What do you observe about the water that falls on the dry land?
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3. Slightly pick up the end of the dish with the landform in it. Place
a book under that end.
4. Use a pencil tip to poke a tiny hole in the bottom of a paper
cup. Hold the cup above the land. Slowly pour water into the
cup and watch what happens to the land while the water drains
onto it.
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4th Grade PSI Science
Earth Systems
What is happening to the land?
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What is happening to the water?
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5. Once the water has stopped draining, draw a picture of your
land’s new form below.
Drawing:
What do you observe?
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6. Add another book under the land end of the dish. Repeat the
water draining activity. Observe what occurred with the land
and water this time. Record your observations including a
drawing.
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4th Grade PSI Science
Earth Systems
What is happening to the land as the water is poured onto
it?
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What is happening to the water?
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7. Once the later has stopped draining, draw a picture of your
land’s new form below.
Drawing:
What do you observe?
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4th Grade PSI Science
Earth Systems
Conclusion Questions
1. What differences did you observe when you put one book
under your landform versus two books?
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2. How is this model similar to erosion in nature?
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3. How is it different?
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4th Grade PSI Science
Earth Systems
Erosion Lab Answer Key
Conclusion Questions
1. What differences did you observe when you put one book under your landform
versus two books?
With two books, the landform eroded much quicker.
With two books, more land was eroded away.
2. How is this model similar to erosion in nature?
Water erodes landforms in nature.
Erosion leads to deposition somewhere else.
3. How is it different?
Water falls on the land in different patterns.
Erosion occurs on a much larger scale and over a longer period of time.
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4th Grade PSI Science
Earth Systems