week 1 lab

Observations/Data Tables:

Data Table 1.

Data Table 2.

Variable changed:

Book thickness used:

Calculations:

Activity 1.

Sinuosity:

Curvy distance (cm) / Straight distance (cm) = sinuosity (no units)

___________ / ____________ =

Both the curvy and straight distances are measurements taken from the stream formation in the stream table. Please refer to Activity 1 for more details.

Velocity

Distance traveled (cm) / Time it takes to travel (s) = Velocity (cm/s)

___________ / ____________ =

The distance it takes a small piece of paper to travel downstream divided by how long it takes to get downstream is the velocity. Refer to Activity 1 for more details.

Relief

Highest elevation (cm) – Lowest elevation (cm) = Relief (cm)

___________ - ____________ =

By subtracting the highest elevation of the stream and the lowest elevation of the stream from each other, the relief can be calculated. Please refer to Activity 1 for more details.

Gradient

Relief (cm) / Total distance (cm) = Gradient (no units)

___________ / ____________ =

By dividing the relief by the total distance of the stream, the gradient can be calculated. Please refer to Activity 1 for more details.

ACTIVITY 2

Sinuosity

Curvy distance (cm) / Straight distance (cm) = sinuosity (no units)

___________ / ____________ =

Both the curvy and straight distances are measurements taken from the stream formation in the stream table. Please refer to Activity 1 for more details.

Velocity

Distance traveled (cm) / Time it takes to travel (s) = Velocity (cm/s)

___________ / ____________ =

The distance it takes a small piece of paper to travel downstream divided by how long it takes to get downstream is the velocity. Refer to Activity 1 for more details.

Relief

Highest elevation (cm) – Lowest elevation (cm) = Relief (cm)

___________ - ____________ =

By subtracting the highest elevation of the stream and the lowest elevation of the stream from each other, the relief can be calculated. Please refer to Activity 1 for more details.

Gradient

___________ / ____________ =

By dividing the relief by the total distance of the stream, the gradient can be calculated. Please refer to Activity 1 for more details.

Photographs:

Activity 1

Activity 2

Lab Questions

Please answer the following entirely in your own words and in complete sentences:

Introduction

1. Background – What is important to know about the topic of this lab? Use at least one outside source (other than course materials) to answer this question. Cite the source using APA format. Answers should be 5-7 sentences in length.

2. Objectives – What was the main purpose of this lab?

3. Hypothesis – What were your hypotheses for Activity 1? What were your hypotheses for Activity 2? Identify each hypothesis clearly and explain your reasoning.

Materials and Methods

4. USING YOUR OWN WORDS, briefly describe what materials and methods you used in each of the activities. Answers should allow easy replication by an outside source if they were reading this lab. Explain any measurements you made.

Discussion

5. Based upon the results of each activity, explain whether you accepted or rejected your hypotheses and why?

6. What important things have you learned from this lab? Use at least one outside source (scholarly for full credit) to answer this question. Cite the source using APA format. Answers should be 5-7 sentences in length.

7. What challenges did you encounter when doing this lab? Name at least one.

8. Based upon your results in Activity 2, what “next step(s)” might a scientist take to explore how humans affect stream ecosystems?

Literature Cited

9. List the references you used to answer these questions. (This should be done in APA format and alphabetically by last name).

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