Sedimentator Lab Report
Sedimentator Lab
Introduction: in this lab we will be working with a sedimentator to observe and classify sediments. A sediment is naturally-occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is subsequently transported by the action of fluids such as wind, water, or ice.
Side One
Purpose: to observe and classify sediments
Part I 1. Gently shake the sedimentator to loosen the sediments and lay the sedimentator on its side 2. Observe the water and the sediments close up at eye level for a few minutes 3. Repeat steps one and two
Q1: what happens to the sediments floating in the water?
The bigger sediments fall to the bottom while the smaller ones go one top of them and form another …show more content…
layer.
Q2: Where else, besides a river or lake, are sediments deposited?
Sediments must be deposited in flowing water, so other than a river or lake, sediments can be deposited in an ocean.
4. Draw what you see on you’re diagram of the sedimentator and used the description from the table on sediments to name each type of sediment. You can use a ruler to measure the largest sediments. Label the sediments on your diagram
Part 2 1. Pick up the sedimentator and slightly tilt it up and down VERY SLOWLY and continue this motion as you observe the action of the moving water on the sediments. Q1: which sediments float in the moving water? Silt floats in the moving water Pebbles and sand move along the bottom. Q3: how does the largest sediment move? Describe the movement. The largest sediment moves by rolling onto itself and drags across the bottom. Each sediment hits each other and this process is called bedloading. Q4: what will happen to the shape of these large pieces if the water continues to move them? What type of weathering it this?
The shape of the larger pieces will change if the water continues to move them. This is because of mechanical weathering. The sediments are essentially torn apart by physical force, rather than by chemical breakdown. In this case the physical force would be the flowing water.
Conclusion questions
Q1: What is sediment and what is it made of?
Sediment is a particle that has been deposited, layered, and compacted over time.
These are the particles that make up sedimentary rocks. Sediments are made up of minerals.
Q2: how did each type of sediment in the Sedimentator form?
Each type of sediment formed through the process of lithification.
Q3: what are two other ways sediments form?
Another way that sediments form from igneous rock is when things like acid chemically break them down. This happens with limestone. Another way sediments are formed from igneous rock is through the process of dead plants coming together. Such is the case with coal.
Q4: in nature, how do sediments from one place to another? Describe how they move.
In nature sediments move from one place or another through either dissolving in a solution, becoming part of a suspension, or being bedloaded. This is when the sediments are dragged, rolled, or just hop along the bottom.
Side Two
Purpose: to identiy rocks formed from sediments and explain how the rocks are formed.
Part I 1. Gently shake the Sedimentator to loosen the sediments. Stand the sedimentator upright on one end, then flip is over so that it stands up on the other end. 2. Observe the water and the sediments for a few
minutes. 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2
Q1: what pattern did you observe each time you flipped the sedimentator?
Every time I flipped the sedimentator I noticed that the bigger sediments fall to the bottom, while the smaller particles rest on top.
Q2: what causes the sediments to settle the way they do?
The sediments settle the way they do because of their varying densities. The particles with higher densities fall to the bottom while the ones with lower densities settle on top.
Q3: where along a river do sediments settle?
The sediments settler along the bottom of a river.
Q4: what would happen if you left the sedimentator upright overnight?
If you left the sedimentator upright over night some of the small particles would settle into the solution while the big pebbles would stay on the bottom.
Part 2 1. Leave the sedimentator standing upright on one end 2. Draw what you see on your diagram and label the sediments on you diagram
Q1: which sediments are closely packed?
Silt and pebbles are closely packed.
Q2: which sediment has spaces?
Sand and pebbles have spaces.
Q3: which sediments would be compacted? Why?
Silt is compacted because the air bubbles between the silt molecules go out and the sand is cemented due to its molecular structure, making it “rock glue.”
3. Used the information from the sedimentary rock table to find the rocks formed from the sediments in the sedimentator. 4. On your diagram, write the rock name next to the sediments that forms from the rock.
Conclusion questions
Q1: What are the three different groups of rocks.
Sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic are the three different groups of rocks.
Q2: which group of rock is formed from sediments?
Sedimentary rocks are formed from sediments.
Q3: what are three different materials that form sediments. Explain how each changes into rock. Give the name of the kind of rock that formed from each sediment.
Sand, pebbles, and silt are the three different materials that form sediments. Each changes into a rock through the process of lithification where the particles are cemented and compacted and deposited. Pebbles form conglomerate rocks, sand forms sandstone and silt forms silt stone.
Conclusion In this lab we used an object called a sedimentator. This is a tool used by students studying earth science for the purpose of understanding how sedimentary rocks are formed by giving a microcosm view of the process. I think that this totally worked because I left this lab with a much better understanding of the different kinds of sediments and how sedimentary rocks form. I feel very confident in my data because I went slow through the lab, carefully studying the sedimentator. I also reviewed my notes and checked my data. In order to improve this lab I would have preferred to do each side separately. This would have allowed the students to really take their time and excel. However, I feel like this was a very beneficial lab and is necessary to understand sedimentary rocks.
Introduction: in this lab we will be working with a sedimentator to observe and classify sediments. A sediment is naturally-occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is subsequently transported by the action of fluids such as wind, water, or ice.
Side One
Purpose: to observe and classify sediments
Part I 1. Gently shake the sedimentator to loosen the sediments and lay the sedimentator on its side 2. Observe the water and the sediments close up at eye level for a few minutes 3. Repeat steps one and two
Q1: what happens to the sediments floating in the water?
The bigger sediments fall to the bottom while the smaller ones go one top of them and form another …show more content…
layer.
Q2: Where else, besides a river or lake, are sediments deposited?
Sediments must be deposited in flowing water, so other than a river or lake, sediments can be deposited in an ocean.
4. Draw what you see on you’re diagram of the sedimentator and used the description from the table on sediments to name each type of sediment. You can use a ruler to measure the largest sediments. Label the sediments on your diagram
Part 2 1. Pick up the sedimentator and slightly tilt it up and down VERY SLOWLY and continue this motion as you observe the action of the moving water on the sediments. Q1: which sediments float in the moving water? Silt floats in the moving water Pebbles and sand move along the bottom. Q3: how does the largest sediment move? Describe the movement. The largest sediment moves by rolling onto itself and drags across the bottom. Each sediment hits each other and this process is called bedloading. Q4: what will happen to the shape of these large pieces if the water continues to move them? What type of weathering it this?
The shape of the larger pieces will change if the water continues to move them. This is because of mechanical weathering. The sediments are essentially torn apart by physical force, rather than by chemical breakdown. In this case the physical force would be the flowing water.
Conclusion questions
Q1: What is sediment and what is it made of?
Sediment is a particle that has been deposited, layered, and compacted over time.
These are the particles that make up sedimentary rocks. Sediments are made up of minerals.
Q2: how did each type of sediment in the Sedimentator form?
Each type of sediment formed through the process of lithification.
Q3: what are two other ways sediments form?
Another way that sediments form from igneous rock is when things like acid chemically break them down. This happens with limestone. Another way sediments are formed from igneous rock is through the process of dead plants coming together. Such is the case with coal.
Q4: in nature, how do sediments from one place to another? Describe how they move.
In nature sediments move from one place or another through either dissolving in a solution, becoming part of a suspension, or being bedloaded. This is when the sediments are dragged, rolled, or just hop along the bottom.
Side Two
Purpose: to identiy rocks formed from sediments and explain how the rocks are formed.
Part I 1. Gently shake the Sedimentator to loosen the sediments. Stand the sedimentator upright on one end, then flip is over so that it stands up on the other end. 2. Observe the water and the sediments for a few
minutes. 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2
Q1: what pattern did you observe each time you flipped the sedimentator?
Every time I flipped the sedimentator I noticed that the bigger sediments fall to the bottom, while the smaller particles rest on top.
Q2: what causes the sediments to settle the way they do?
The sediments settle the way they do because of their varying densities. The particles with higher densities fall to the bottom while the ones with lower densities settle on top.
Q3: where along a river do sediments settle?
The sediments settler along the bottom of a river.
Q4: what would happen if you left the sedimentator upright overnight?
If you left the sedimentator upright over night some of the small particles would settle into the solution while the big pebbles would stay on the bottom.
Part 2 1. Leave the sedimentator standing upright on one end 2. Draw what you see on your diagram and label the sediments on you diagram
Q1: which sediments are closely packed?
Silt and pebbles are closely packed.
Q2: which sediment has spaces?
Sand and pebbles have spaces.
Q3: which sediments would be compacted? Why?
Silt is compacted because the air bubbles between the silt molecules go out and the sand is cemented due to its molecular structure, making it “rock glue.”
3. Used the information from the sedimentary rock table to find the rocks formed from the sediments in the sedimentator. 4. On your diagram, write the rock name next to the sediments that forms from the rock.
Conclusion questions
Q1: What are the three different groups of rocks.
Sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic are the three different groups of rocks.
Q2: which group of rock is formed from sediments?
Sedimentary rocks are formed from sediments.
Q3: what are three different materials that form sediments. Explain how each changes into rock. Give the name of the kind of rock that formed from each sediment.
Sand, pebbles, and silt are the three different materials that form sediments. Each changes into a rock through the process of lithification where the particles are cemented and compacted and deposited. Pebbles form conglomerate rocks, sand forms sandstone and silt forms silt stone.
Conclusion In this lab we used an object called a sedimentator. This is a tool used by students studying earth science for the purpose of understanding how sedimentary rocks are formed by giving a microcosm view of the process. I think that this totally worked because I left this lab with a much better understanding of the different kinds of sediments and how sedimentary rocks form. I feel very confident in my data because I went slow through the lab, carefully studying the sedimentator. I also reviewed my notes and checked my data. In order to improve this lab I would have preferred to do each side separately. This would have allowed the students to really take their time and excel. However, I feel like this was a very beneficial lab and is necessary to understand sedimentary rocks.