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 bucke

Answer 1

For the student's experiment investigating how erosion by a meandering stream is affected by the slope of the land, the most relevant variable to vary would be:

A: The number of blocks stacked beneath the tray.

By varying the number of blocks stacked beneath the tray, the student can change the slope of the land, which is the primary factor in the investigation. The other options (B, C, and D) relate to different aspects of the setup that may not directly affect the slope of the land, which is the main focus of the experiment.