
Grass vs. Bare Soil Under Heavy Rain
Medium
Does a patch of grass hold soil in place better than bare dirt? You set up two troughs on an angle to act like hillsides. One trough holds a square of grass. The other holds loose soil. You pour water from a watering can over each one to simulate heavy rain. Then you compare how much soil washed away from each trough. You can also try the same setup with a fan to test wind erosion.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that soil erosion can be caused by various factors, such as wind, rain, and bad cultivation practices.
Method & Materials
You will set up two troughs to simulate a hill, and then pour water onto them to observe what happens.
You will need two square troughs or cut down boxes lined with plastic, a watering can, and a litre milk container.
Results
The experiment showed that soil erosion can occur when water is poured onto the troughs. The water caused the soil to move away from the troughs, demonstrating the process of erosion.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting because it allows students to observe the process of soil erosion in a controlled environment.
Also Consider
Experiment variations to consider include using a fan to blow on the troughs, and using different types of soil.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related video
These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
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