This observation is focused on the effect that weathering has on the rate of erosion. As wind and water break bits of material off, that material is moved to a new location. When looking at the data, there was a 45cm³ difference between the bar of soap at the beginning of the investigation and the end of soaking. When they measured the soap after spraying, it only had a volume of 2cm^3, which was a decrease of 78cm³. Using the data from the observations, it can be concluded that spraying the soap has a more significant impact on its size and volume.

The natural process of weathering and erosion happens very slowly, and this investigation was no different. After Miranda's class has placed the soap into the standing water, they waited three hours and barely saw a difference in the size and volume. There was only a 45cm³ difference in the volume after three hours. It was not until moving water by way of the spray bottles did things speed up. Had Miranda's class just left the soap to be eroded, it could have taken more than one school day to complete the process.

Over time the wind, ice, vegetation, and water wear away small bits and pieces of sediment, rock, and other natural materials. Erosion takes these bits of material and moves them to a new location. When reviewing the observations and data from Miranda's investigation, one may notice that running water (the spray bottle) eroded more material in a shorter period. When comparing moving water and standing water, there is a significant difference, and running water would change the landscape more quickly.

DJ and Matt are both on the right track when they are thinking about rocks being pulled down and affected by gravity, but that is where the commonalities stop. DJ is correct in his thinking related to the steep rock cliffs. The steeper the cliff is, the sooner and faster it will be eroded. The steep slope allows the force of gravity to move more rock more quickly. When looking at the data, a trend can be seen, the higher the slope of the cliffside is, the sooner it will erode. A cliffside with a 30^o slope will erode in 61 years compared to an 87^o slope eroding in 24 years.

Meredith can use this data table to look for a pattern or connection between the slope of the cliffside and the average erosion rate. Based on the measurements recorded, the lower the slope, the longer it takes for the cliff to erode. Meredith could suggest building the cliffside up to reduce the slope so that scientists could increase the amount of time it would take to erode. The steep slope allows the force of gravity to move more rock faster, so by reducing the slope, the rock will not move as quickly.

The natural process of weathering and erosion happens very slowly. Over time the wind, ice, vegetation, and water wear away small bits and pieces of sediment, rock, and other natural materials. Erosion takes these bits of material and moves them to a new location. In this example, erosion due to the ocean waves crashing onto the beach is washing away sand, causing it to be slowly moved out to sea, and the beach becomes shorter in width.

Over time the wind, ice, vegetation, and water wear away small bits and pieces of sediment, rock, and other natural materials. Erosion takes these bits of material and moves them to a new location. The beach is eroding at a rate of 0.02 meters every two years. It can be predicted that the trend will continue, and in year 11, the beach will be 7.3 meters wide.

Over time the wind, ice, vegetation, and water wear away small bits and pieces of sediment, rock, and other natural materials. Erosion takes these bits of material and moves them to a new location. The effects of weathering on the rate of erosion can be measured and often is to determine if reconstruction or human intervention is needed to stop the weathering and erosion in areas.

Over time the wind, ice, vegetation, and water wear away small bits and pieces of sediment, rock, and other natural materials. Erosion takes these bits of material and moves them to a new location. Wind, water, and gravity can all move bits of broken rock and sediment. Temperature is not a direct cause of erosion. It plays an effect in the freezing and melting of water during the weathering process that breaks rocks apart.

Over time the wind, ice, vegetation, and water wear away small bits and pieces of sediment, rock, and other natural materials. Erosion takes these bits of material and moves them to a new location. Measuring the area over time, taking photographs for comparison, and writing detailed observations are scientific methods for determining if erosion is taking place.