4.4.

1 Study: Investigate Weathering and Erosion Study Guide

Houston Environmental Science Sem 1 Name:  
Date:  
Use this study guide to keep track of the important concepts covered in this activity. If you
need help answering any of the questions, check with your instructor. Save these study
guides for review when preparing for quizzes and tests.

Record key term definitions in the table.

Term Definition

stream erosion The wearing away and movement of soil and rocks by flowing
water.

mass wasting The wearing away and sudden downhill movement of soil and
rocks due to gravity, as in a rockslide.

dependent variable A factor in an experiment that changes in response to the factor

being manipulated. A dependent variable is also called
a responding variable.

independent variable A factor in an experiment that is manipulated and does not

change in response to any other experimental variable.
Weathering and Erosion

1. Use this table to record the important details of weathering.

(pg. 2)

Process Definition Removes Agents

materials?

Weathering The process by which No Physical forces

rocks are broken down
into smaller rocks or soil Chemical changes

Biological actions

2. Use this table to record the important details of erosion.

(pg. 3)

Process Definition Removes Agents

materials?

Erosion The process by which Yes Stream erosion

rocks or soil are worn
away and moved to a new Mass wasting

place
 Chemical erosion

Models and Modeling

3. Describe the importance of modeling in science.

(pg. 5)

Type of model Description Example

Conceptual A diagram that shows the steps of a Diagram of the water cycle
process and where they occur

Physical A structure that shows the parts of a Molecular model of vitamin C

complex object and their
arrangement

Mathematical A description of a system or Equation for calculating the

situation, written in the language of volume of a box
math

4. List four features of a good model.

(pg. 6)

 It closely represents the real system.

 It is simple and easy to use.

 It consistently generates similar results.

 It allows for the manipulation of one variable at a time.

Quantifying Observations

5. Name some examples of the types of qualitative and quantitative data you might record for an
investigation of weathering and erosion using graham crackers as models for rock.
(pgs. 8–9)

Qualitative: Observe the surfaces of graham crackers that have been exposed to flowing water
and moving ice for evidence of small particles of the crackers and wearing away of the crackers.

Quantitative: Create a set of mixtures of water and graham-cracker crumbs that can be used as
standards for a scale to judge the amount of sediment in water.

The Scientific Process

6. List and explain the three basic steps in a scientific process for investigating an idea.

(pg. 10)

Step 1: Ask a question. When designing an experiment, start by asking a scientific question that
considers what will happen if a variable is changed. Include what you will be testing and how
you will measure it.
Step 2: Make a hypothesis. Write a statement that predicts the results you expect and a reason for
your prediction.

Step 3: Design a procedure. Develop a set of steps for a procedure that will test your hypothesis.
Be sure to identify what variable you will be testing (independent variable) and what variable
you will be measuring (dependent variable) to determine whether there is an effect. Explain how
you will judge the effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

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