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Matilda
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| Posted: Oct 10 2007 at 5:34pm | IP Logged
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...or rather, instructions for an experiment that I have heard called "a stream in a bottle". This is for my son's book club (By the Great Horn Spoon). I am looking into gold panning kits, but I heard this experiment mentioned and I am wondering if anyone has any information on it. From what I understand it is a simple experiment in sediment layers but I need specific instructions on what should be added to the bottle to get the best results.
Any ideas?
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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MaryM
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| Posted: Oct 12 2007 at 3:12am | IP Logged
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I really want to help but the name doesn't sound familiar to me. I was hoping Theresa might check it - this seems like something up her alley.
I did find this link and wondered if it was something like this sedimentation demo/experiment that uses soda bottles.
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Matilda
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The name might just be one person's name for the sediment experiment. I found it on a website dedicated to By The Great Horn Spoon classroom study but they didn't give instructions.
I had seen the one you linked to and it is almost exactly what I am looking for but what I want specifically is to know what sediments to put in our bottles that would mimic a stream or brook. I don't want to just grab a handful of dirt from my back yard.
I saw Theresa's post about her discovery bottles yesterday and thought about PMing her to see if she would know what to put in a "Stream bottle".
Thanks for your help!
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Oct 12 2007 at 10:05am | IP Logged
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Sorry I missed this thread earlier. Matilda, I PM'd you about it.
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Theresa
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Chari
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Theresa, can you please post the info here?
Thanks!
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Oct 12 2007 at 12:40pm | IP Logged
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Ok, Chari. This is what I wrote to Matilda, edited a bit:
We do have one discovery bottle that is similar in concept.
Soils settle in a stream due to 2 reasons: particle size and weight(or density).
So to address particle size, I would get a few rounded pebbles, some aquarium gravel, some clean sand, and some clean soil. Try to get soil that is free of organic matter and not too much clay. Some clay is ok, but the particle size is so small that it will take ages to settle. If there is too much it will cloud the water too much to see the other stuff. Organic matter floats and rots, so if this is something you want to keep, then no organic matter.
Anyway, fill it 3/4 with clear water, then if you shake it and put it down, it should settle out in layers.
The second issue is weight, or density.The way to look at this would be to get particles of the same size but different weights. You might try plastic beads, glass beads, BBs, and gravel. The heavier material should settle first and so on.
So, in streams both of these factors are at work, and miners use these concepts to isolate the gold from the other sediments.
Hope that helps!
Let me know how it works out!
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Theresa
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Chari
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| Posted: Oct 12 2007 at 1:41pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, dear! I SO appreciate your sharing!
This looks like such a neat idea!
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Martha
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completely off topic, but I thought the thread subject was:
Looking to scream in a bottle...
and thought, you and me both sister! 
back to scheduled programming...
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Matilda
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Amen, sister friend!
You cracked me up. My kids are looking at me like "Mom's totally lost it...again!" as I sit here laughing and crying!
Thanks Martha!
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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Matilda
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Question for Theresa (which will only go to prove what a city gal I am):
Where do you get soil that is free of organic matter? Do you mean potting soil?
Would soil just make it muddy or should I stick with just sand gravel and rocks? I thought about whether or not it would cloud the water too much when I was trying to come up with my own layers. I definitely want it to be as clear as can be. And also something that will settle in less than 2 hours since that is how long the book club is going to last. Or maybe I should let them make their own and take them to watch them settle? Still thinking here.
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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lapazfarm
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Potting soil would be about the worst thing you could use. Lots of organic matter(or at least there should be).
Some soils are naturally "richer" than others, meaning containing more organic matter and nutrients. If you can find some that looks fairly mineral-based, that's what you want. Look for areas with little or no vegetation growing.Test the soil by putting it in a cup of water and see how cloudy the water gets and how long it takes to settle.
Another thought. if you want it to settle quickly and stay clean: Sand comes in a wide range of particle sizes, from fine "sugar" sand to coarse sand used in construction sites. You could look at using the pebbles, aquarium gravel in a couple of colors and sizes, construction sand, and "play sand" sold for use in kids sandboxes, and then some of the very fine sand sold in craft stores. A benefit of that would be that you can get it in different colors and the layers will stand out well.
If you use construction sand, you will want to wash it first to take out any clay that may be in it. Just rinse and dump a few times until the water clears, like you would if rinsing rice.
Does that help any?
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Theresa
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Matilda
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Yes, yes, yes!
I love the sand idea! And the different colors!
Thanks, Theresa! You are amazing!
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Looking for a stream in a bottle...
