Question

1. what happens to the riverbed as water is poured on it?

1. is the water breading down the riverbank an example of (circle one) weathering, erosion, or deposition?
2. as the water flows down the pan, it carries little pieces of sand. is this an example of (circle one) weathering, erosion, or deposition?
3. the sand particles gathered at the bottom of the sheet tray are examples of (circle one) weathering, erosion, or deposition.

independent practice:
read each of the following scenarios. circle key words in the scenario. decide whether the scenario is describing weathering erosion or deposition.

scenario:	w, e, d.. why?
rain washing away soil from a hillside
layers of sediment forming at the bottom of the ocean
a mudslide flowing down a steep hill
glaciers dropping rock and sand to form terminal moraines
waves dropping sand on the beach
caves being formed by acid rain dissolving underground limestone

Explanation:

1. When water flows over a riverbed, it picks up and moves small sediment particles, gradually wearing away the riverbed and shaping it over time.
2. Weathering is the breakdown of rock/soil in place; erosion is moving broken material; deposition is dropping material. Breaking down a riverbank in place is weathering.
3. Carrying sand particles via flowing water is the movement of sediment, which is erosion.
4. Sand gathering at the bottom of a tray is sediment being dropped and left behind, which is deposition.

For the independent practice:

• Weathering (W) = breaking down material in place; Erosion (E) = moving broken material; Deposition (D) = dropping/leaving sediment in a new location.

Answer:

1. The water will erode the riverbed, picking up and moving small sediment particles, gradually shaping and deepening it over time.
2. weathering
3. erosion
4. deposition

Independent Practice:

Scenario	W, E, D.. Why?
Rain washing away soil from a hillside	E; Moves soil to a new location
Layers of sediment forming at the bottom of the ocean	D; Sediment settles and accumulates
A mudslide flowing down a steep hill	E; Moves broken soil/rock downhill
Glaciers dropping rock and sand to form terminal moraines	D; Glaciers deposit sediment they carried
Waves dropping sand on the beach	D; Waves deposit sand they transported
Caves being formed by acid rain dissolving underground limestone	W; Dissolves rock in place