The model created by the students demonstrates two key processes involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks: erosion and sediment deposition.
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Erosion: This process is shown when the flowing water impacts the sand hill. As water flows through the channel created by the students, it carries away small particles of sand from the hill, simulating how natural water bodies erode sediment from higher ground and transport it downstream.
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Sediment Deposition: After the water flows through the channel, it will eventually lose energy, which causes the sediment (sand) to settle out of the water. This deposition happens when the water slows down, leaving behind the transported sand, which may accumulate in layers, mimicking how sediments accumulate over time to form sedimentary rock layers.
In summary, the students' model demonstrates erosion when water flows and removes sand from the hill and deposition as the water slows and allows sand to settle in new locations. This effectively illustrates how sedimentary rocks can form through the cyclical processes of eroding, transporting, and depositing sediment.