Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Alright for my project we needed to make any kind of project on 2 subjects we have already learned. I chose the atmosphere and erosion. What we need to include is how the 2 subjects relate. So im wondering how does the atmosphere and erosion relate?

Hi Bellasemi,

It sounds like you are just getting started. If so, picking an appropriate weather topic for Minnesota would make a great science fair project. You should check out the various weather projects on the science buddies website. Perhaps asking a question about how the humidity in the atmosphere affects the water content of snow would be a good topic. However, do look through the projects and see if you can get an idea that you would like to the project on.

http://sciencebuddies.com/science-fair- ... ia=Weather

If this does not help, then please write again and let us know more about your project assignment. If you are already collecting data, then let us know about your experiment.

Donna Hardy

Um i changed the topic to erosion instead of weathering because I understand more about erosion. So basically my question is how does the atmosphere relate to erosion?

Hi Bellasemi,

Does your assignment require doing an experiment? It seems to me that a project on atmosphere and erosion/weathering could be done by making observations in your environment. Weathering is the physical breakdown of rocks. This can occur due to water getting into cracks of rocks and subsequent freeze/thawing, which causes the cracks to become larger. Erosion is the movement of rocks and soil, and this can occur due to water or wind. There are lots of websites with information and pictures that show examples of weathering and erosion:

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/s ... trees.html

http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/CURR/Science/ ... eather.htm

http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:mM ... cd=7&gl=us

http://www.ieca.org/photogallery/Impacts.asp

For a project, you could select the effect of wind, acid rain, water, or tree roots on weathering and erosion. Perhaps you could make photographs of all of the examples of tree roots moving sidewalks and roads in your neighborhood. Or, if you live close to a cemetery with headstones that date back 100 years or more, you could compare the effect of weathering (chemical due to acid rain) on various types of rocks used as headstones that are 10, 25, 50, and 100 years old. If you have someone who can drive you to several bridges, perhaps you could document and photograph the effect of weathering on bridges that were constructed in different years (you would need to find out the age of each bridge). If there are metal and stone statues in your city, perhaps you could investigate the weathering due to chemical changes (acid rain, oxidation) on the surfaces of the statues. If you live in a farming community, perhaps you could do a survey and document the effect of farming practices on erosion (loss of soil). One of the websites above shows winners of a contest to show effects of erosion in a photograph; perhaps you could enter this contest.

I hope this helps you pick of specific project. I think the key to doing a project, would be to pick one specific topic that you are really interested in, and do a very thorough investigation and explanation of that topic. Please let us know if you need any more help.

Good luck!


Donna Hardy