Cups (one for each experiment)
Water
Skittles (one per cup)
Recording Sheets (for noting observations)
Spoons or stirrers (optional, for stirring the water)
Prepare the Experiment:
Fill each cup with water, making sure there is enough to fully submerge the Skittles.
Add Skittles:
Place one Skittle in each cup of water.
Set Up Observation Conditions:
Designate one cup to remain still.
For the second cup, gently swirl the water to mimic moving water.
Make Observations:
Allow the cups to sit for a few minutes. Observe any changes in the Skittles, such as color diffusion or changes in texture.
Record Observations:
Have students record their observations on the provided sheet, noting differences between the Skittle in the still water and the Skittle in the moving water.
Discussion:
Discuss with students how the Skittles represent rock surfaces and how the movement of water can affect the rate of chemical weathering. Explore how this experiment simulates real-world weathering processes.
Reflection:
Ask students what they learned about the effects of moving water on chemical weathering and how the experiment helped them understand these processes.