A student is constructing a stream table to investigate how erosion by a meandering stream is affected by the slope of the land. The student uses the equipment shown.

Question

What should the student vary for the different trials of the experiment?
Responses
A The number of blocks stacked beneath the trayThe number of blocks stacked beneath the tray
B The sediment size of sand used in the stream tableThe sediment size of sand used in the stream table
C The size of the hole in the bottom of the container of waterThe size of the hole in the bottom of the container of water
D The volume of water that enters the stream table and collects in the bucket

Answer 1

In the context of investigating how erosion by a meandering stream is affected by the slope of the land, the most appropriate variable for the student to vary in different trials is:

A. The number of blocks stacked beneath the tray.

By varying the number of blocks, the student can change the slope of the land, which directly impacts the speed and behavior of the water flow and consequently the erosion processes. The other options (sediment size, size of the hole, and volume of water) may also affect the experiment, but they do not specifically target the effect of land slope on erosion as effectively as option A does.