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Thirstin's Groundwater Movement ActivityIntroductionGround water must be able to move through underground materials at rates fast enough to supply useful amounts of water to wells or springs in order for those materials to be classified as an aquifer. For water to move in an aquifer, some of the pores and fractures must be connected to each other. Water moves through different materials at different rates, faster through gravel, slower through sand, and even slower through clay. Gravels and sands are possible aquifers; clays usually are not aquifers. The following activity demonstrates how different sizes of rock materials that make up an aquifer affect water movement. Objectives
Materials
Teacher PreparationThis activity can be conducted in the classroom, gymnasium, or outside the school building. If conducted in the classroom, move all furniture to allow for sufficient room for the movement of students. This is a three-part demonstration that may create some excitement. ProceduresSelect two or three students to be molecules of water. The remaining students will be rock materials.
Interpretive Questions
ExtensionObtain 250 milliliters (mL) of sand, 250 mL of pea-size gravel, 250 mL of clay, and three large funnels (top diameter approximately 12cm). Force a piece of cheesecloth into the top of the spout of each funnel. This will prevent material from going through the funnel spout. Put each funnel into separate clear containers so that the spout of the funnel is at least 5cm above the bottom of the container. Pour the sand into the first funnel, pea-size gravel into the second funnel, and the clay into the third funnel. Pour equal amounts of water (approximately 200 mL) onto the materials contained in the funnels. Select three students to pour the water, creating a permeability race. Time how long it takes the water to flow through the materials. Record on a data sheet. Which material did the water flow through the fastest? Why? This activity was adapted from "Get the Ground Water Picture," National Project WET. Download PDF VERSION: (332 K PDF FILE, 2 pgs)
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