Erosion: Moving Earth's Surface

What You'll Learn

Wind forms when the sun heats Earth's surface unevenly, creating pressure differences. Air moves from high pressure to low pressure areas, and Earth's rotation curves the wind paths.

Key Words

evaporation
condensation

Materials Needed

spray bottle
cups
thermometer
rain gauge
cotton balls
food coloring

Safety First

Tie back long hair before starting the experiment.
Protect your work surface with newspaper or plastic.
Adult supervision recommended.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read and learn: Wind forms when the sun heats Earth's surface unevenly, creating pressure differences. Air moves from high pressure to low pressure areas, and Earth's rotation curves the wind paths.

Step 2 — Do

Conduct the experiment by following the instructions.

Step 3 — Observe

Look for patterns in your observations.

Step 4 — Record

Make a graph or chart showing your results.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is erosion?