Name: _______________________________________________________
VIRTUAL LAB
Water Erosion & Deposition
EXPERIMENT #1: Slope (Steepness of the Hill)
HYPOTHESIS: The greater the slope of the land, the (more, less) erosion will occur.
DATA/OBSERVATIONS: Complete the data table below.
Slope Gradient
(degrees)
Vegetation?
(Yes or No)
Rain Intensity
(High or Low)
Sediment Level
(High, Moderate, Low)
Example: Moderate 2
10
30
CONCLUSION: Explain how the slope affected the amount of soil erosion by water.
EXPERIMENT #2: Vegetation (Plants)
HYPOTHESIS: The greater the amount of vegetation, the (more, less) erosion will occur.
DATA/OBSERVATIONS: Complete the data table below.
Vegetation?
Slope Gradient
(10 or 30)
Rain Intensity
(High or Low)
Sediment Level
(High, Moderate, Low)
Example: Moderate 2
Yes
No
CONCLUSION: Explain how the amount of vegetation affected the amount of soil erosion by
water.
EXPERIMENT #3: Rain Intensity (Amount of Rain)
HYPOTHESIS: The greater the intensity of the rain, the (more, less) erosion will occur.
DATA/OBSERVATIONS: Complete the data table below.
Rain Intensity
(High or Low)
Slope Gradient
(10 or 30)
Vegetation?
(Yes or No)
Sediment Level
(High, Moderate, Low)
Example: Moderate 2
High
Low
CONCLUSION: Explain how the amount of rain affected the amount of soil erosion by water.
QUESTIONS: Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. Which variable (slope, vegetation, or rain) do you think has the strongest influence on the
amount of soil erosion that occurs on a slope? Why?
2. If you wanted to reduce the amount of soil erosion, what could you do? Explain.
3. What do you think would happen if the angle of the slope were 60 degrees?
4. Label the picture below with the following terms: weathering, erosion, deposition. Then
define each one under each term in your own words.