The students wanted to determine what happened to groundwater levels when an aquifer is exposed to a long term drought situation. What could they do next to simulate this next environmental condition?

Question

Responses
A Stop pouring water into their model and measure the groundwater level after a few weeks time.Stop pouring water into their model and measure the groundwater level after a few weeks time.
B Turn on a space heater as well as a bright light. Leave both on for a long time. Measure the groundwater level.Turn on a space heater as well as a bright light. Leave both on for a long time. Measure the groundwater level.
C Shine a very bright light on the model for about a month. Then meansure the level of groundwater in their model.Shine a very bright light on the model for about a month. Then meansure the level of groundwater in their model.
D Stop pouring rain in, shine a light on the model during the day, then measure the groundwater after a prescribed time period.Stop pouring rain in, shine a light on the model during the day, then measure the groundwater after a prescribed time period.

Answer 1

The best response to simulate the effect of a long-term drought situation on groundwater levels is:

A: Stop pouring water into their model and measure the groundwater level after a few weeks time.

This option directly mimics the conditions of a drought by removing water input into the system, allowing the students to observe how groundwater levels change without the addition of water. Options B, C, and D involve using light or heat, which may not accurately represent the conditions of drought and could introduce other variables that may not be relevant to the students' investigation.