Angle of Repose
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- Scientific Accuracy
- Alignment of Learning Goals, Activities, and Assessments
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This page first made public: Mar 28, 2006
Summary
In this activity students measure the maximum slope at which grains are stable (angle of repose). They explore how different properties of the sediment influence slope stability and lead to different slope failures (mass movements). The results are then used to examine the nature, frequency, timing, and causes of landsliding events in Seattle.
Students make piles from a variety of sediments and measure (either with a protractor or using basic trigonometry) the angle. They examine sediments with different sizes as well as different angularities. They also add water to the piles to evaluate its impact.
Learning Goals
Upon completion of this exercise, students should be able to:
- measure the angle of repose
- determine how grain size, angularity, and water content impact the angle of repose
- relate angle of repose to mass wasting types and causes
- apply knowledge gained during the experiments to patterns of mass wasting in the Seattle area.
Context for Use
This activity can be done in an hour to two hours in an introductory class.
Teaching Notes and Tips
Students need to be warned to take their measurements with care and precision. If they are little off, they could have difficulty answering the questions well. Also, students tend to make small piles which increases error. (This is a terrific place to discuss error and propagation of error).
This activity requires some additional materials:- sand
- rounded gravel
- angular gravel
- coarse gravel
- protractors and rulers
- trays to contain the experiments
The gravel can be easily purchased at a pet shop - aquarium gravel works wonderfully. Most hardware or home improvement stores sell sand and gravel as well.
Teaching Materials
Assessment
References and Resources
Controlled Vocabulary Terms
Resource Type: Activities:Classroom Activity
Inquiry Level: Guided Inquiry, Step-By-Step Instruction
Special Interest: Local Issue, Quantitative, 2YC:Geo2YC, Geo2YC- OLD DO NOT USE, Hazards
Grade Level: College Lower (13-14), High School (9-12)
Learning Environment: Laboratory
Quantitative Skills: Graphs, Probability and Statistics:Data Trends, Problem Solving:Equations, Arithmetic/Computation, Geometry and Trigonometry
Ready for Use: Ready to Use, Tested
Use: Illustrating concepts and ideas
Data Source: Observational Data
Geologic Setting: Earth Surface
Earth System Topics: Surface Processes:Weathering, Erosion, Mass Wasting
Quantitative Skills Activity Type: Classroom Activity, Short Activity, Lab Activity
Science Background Required: Basic scientific background required, Broadly accessible
Topics: Earth surface:Sedimentary Geology
Solid Earth Processes: Weathering/Erosion
Theme: Teach the Earth:Course Topics:Environmental Science, Teach the Earth:Teaching Environments:Intro Geoscience, Teach the Earth:Course Topics:Geomorphology, Sedimentary Geology, Teach the Earth:Teaching Environments:Two-Year Colleges, Teach the Earth:Incorporating Societal Issues:Hazards
