Down to Earth Skimming the Surface Outside Story Erosion Learning Activities Activity

Wind erosion investigation

In this investigation you will learn about how wind affects sand.

To complete this activity

Read the whole activity sheet carefully before you begin.
Print out the ‘Record page for wind erosion investigation’ and have it beside you when you are ready to start the investigation.
Carry out your investigation by following the instructions below.

Remember! Include this sheet and your record page, along with any photos or drawings, in your portfolio.

Planning

In this investigation we are going to identify the effects of wind on land. We are going to blow the sand to show the effects of wind on sand.

Remember! Have a camera ready so you can photograph what happens before and after the experiment. If you do not have a camera you can draw or write about what happens.

You will need:

an open cardboard box with one side removed

a tray or white sheet of paper to place inside the box

newspaper to protect the area around the box

dry, fine sand

a collection of small sticks and grass

a collection of small pebbles

water

the ‘Record page for wind erosion’ activity sheet.

What will happen?

Before scientists begin an investigation they make a prediction. You make a prediction using information you already have to guess what is going to happen.

Use your ‘Record page for wind erosion investigation’ to record the following predictions. You can write or draw your predictions.

What do you think will happen when you blow on the sand?
What do you think will happen when you add the following materials to the sand pile?

pebbles

sticks

water.

Conducting

When conducting a scientific investigation you need to make sure it is fair. This means you only change one thing and everything else stays the same.

In this investigation you should consider the following questions:

What will change? / What will be measured or observed? / What will be kept the same (to make it fair)?
The materials in the sand pile / The movement of sand or the effects of blowing on the sand / Same amount of sand in the pile
Sand placed in the centre of the box every time
The number of blows
The same force applied with all blows
Blow from the same distance each time

Steps to follow

Place a pile of sand in the centre of the tray in the open box.
Blow gently over the sand from the open side of the box.
Record your observations.
Blow 20 times over the sand from the open side of the box. Make sure you keep the same distance for each blow.
Record your observations.
Take photos or add drawings to your observations.
Re-form your pile of sand with pebbles and repeat steps 1 to 6.
Re-form your pile of sand and add water. Repeat steps 1 to 5.

Processing and evaluating (what did you find out?)

Use your observations to help you explain what you found out. Record your observations on your ‘Record page for wind investigation’.

Things to think about

What happened before you added different materials?

What was the effect after adding different materials?

Are there any examples of wind erosion in your environment?

What would happen if a strong wind blew across a beach?

What happens when sand hits a wall?

What can we do to prevent wind erosion?