Lesson 76 of 84 · Weathering and Erosion
Experiment⭐ 30 XP🌋 Rock RealmTypes of Rocks: Sedimentary (Part 3)
Weathering and Erosion.
🎯 Your mission
Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.
⚡ The twist
Weather isn't random — it's just complicated.
Mind = Blown
🌊 The deepest part of the ocean is deeper than Mount Everest is tall.
Make a hypothesis first
Before you observe: what shape will it leave?
What You'll Learn
Groundwater fills spaces between rocks and soil underground. Aquifers are underground layers of rock that hold and transmit water. Many communities depend on wells that tap into aquifers.
Key Words
- condensation
- precipitation
- weathering
Materials Needed
- magnifying glass
- newspaper
- spray bottle
- cups
- thermometer
Safety First
- Tie back long hair before starting the experiment.
Steps
Read about Weathering and Erosion and write down three key facts.
Model plate tectonics using graham crackers on frosting. Push them together, pull them apart, and slide them past each other to show convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries.
Compare the before and after states.
Write your conclusion: did the results match your hypothesis? What would you change next time?
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3What are tectonic plates?
Where you see this in real life
Today's weather, tomorrow's beach, next century's coastline — all this.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Look at the sky for 5 minutes and try to predict tomorrow's weather.
For the dinner table
“What's the slowest change you can think of?”
Next Smart Experiment
We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.
Share this experiment
Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
Checkout complete lesson on Weathering and Erosion for 4th Grade
Get the full Weathering and Erosion track as a printable PDF — all lessons, worksheets, and answer keys.