GENSCI 307 Geology Laboratory Activity

Hydrologic Cycle

Names:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Objectives:

 To create a mini-hydrologic cycle container

 To observe the phenomena happened in water cycle through the mini-hydrologic cycle
container
 To compare the processes of the mini-hydrologic cycle container and the actual hydrologic cycle.

Materials:

1 pc. canister (with labels and cap removed)

1 pc. 5” x 5” plastic clear cellophane

2 pcs rubber bands

1 disposable cup (half cut) with sand

Water

Stone

Procedure:

1. Pour the water into the canister (up to ¼ level).

2. Place the cup with dry sand into the canister. Position the cup at the middle of the canister.
3. Cover the mouth of the canister with plastic cellophane. Create a depression at the middle of the
cellophane, but DO NOT LET THE CELLOPHANE TOUCH THE SAND!
4. Place a stone above the cellophane to ensure that the droplets would go directly onto the dry sand.
5. Place your mini-hydrologic cycle in a sunny spot (or under the lamp shade). Observe the water
droplets formed underneath the cellophane and the dripping water.

Questions:

1. What does the cellophane represent?

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

2. What do you call the process of formation of water droplets underneath the cellophane?

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Where do the water droplets originate? How were they formed?

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

4. Where did the moistened sand come from? What process does it represent?

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

5. Describe the similarities of your mini-hydrologic cycle container with the actual water cycle.

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

6. Take picture of your mini-hydrologic cycle container (with droplets). Print and post it inside the box.