Activity+2

Activity Two: Field Study

Location: Rocky Run, a Brandywine River Tributary Question: What is the relationship between steam velocity and changes in stream elevation/slope?

Hypothesis: As the elevation/slope of the stream increases the velocity of the stream increases.

Procedure: A member of the group used 5 meters of string and a fishing bobber to measure the amount of time it took the bobber to travel 5 meter in the center of the stream.

Start area: 0.5 miles upstream from the mouth of the tributary Velocity = distance / time Slope or Gradient = Height 1 – Height 2 /Distance



Graph the trial time data. Remember to label and title the graph. Include units. Use a different color for each trial.

Calculate the following: Average Time for each location: Remember units.

Analyze the data.

Question 1 Compare the slope/gradient to the average velocity. What observation can you make? //In areas with the greater slope or gradient the velocity of the water was greater.//

Question 2 Was the hypothesis correct? Why or why not? //The experiment hypothesis was correct. Take any reasonable answer for why.//