Water Cycle Column Investigations
Recommended for grades 9–12.
Introduction
In this experiment, you will use a Water Cycle Column and probeware as you investigate the hydrologic cycle and related concepts.
In a typical three-bottle Water Cycle Column, water moves up a wick from a pool of water in the bottom chamber to soil in the middle chamber by capillary action. Water in the soil can evaporate and become water vapor in the middle chamber. Transpiration, the loss of water vapor from the aerial surfaces of plants, is an additional source of water vapor in the middle chamber.
Objectives
In the Preliminary Activity, you will gain experience using a pH Sensor and learn pH measuring technique as you determine the pH of a water sample.
After completing the Preliminary Activity, you will first use reference sources to find out more about the hydrologic cycle and related concepts before you choose and investigate a researchable question.
Sensors and Equipment
This investigation requires each of the following Vernier sensors and equipment (unless otherwise noted):
Stainless Steel Temperature Probe (optional)
Relative Humidity Sensor (optional)
Soil Moisture Sensor (optional)
Conductivity Probe (optional)
Light Sensor (optional)
CO2 Gas Sensor (optional)
Additional Requirements
You may also need an interface and software for data collection. What do I need for data collection?
Download Experiment Preview
The student-version preview includes:
- Step-by-step instructions for the Preliminary Activity
- List of materials and equipment
Note: The experiment preview of the Preliminary Activity does not include essential teacher information, safety tips, or sample data. Instructions for Logger Pro and other software (such as LabQuest App or TI handheld software, where available) are on the CD that accompanies the book. We strongly recommend that you purchase the book before performing experiments.
Standards Correlations
See all standards correlations for Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry »
Experiment 17 from Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry Lab Book
Included in the Lab Book
Vernier lab books include a CD with word-processing files of the student instructions, essential teacher information, suggested answers, sample data and graphs, and more.