Flow Rates of Faucets and Rivers
Students determine the flow rate of a river.Copyright Wikimedia Commons http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/WaltonCreekLochsa.jpg
Students are given background information to prepare them to conduct two associated activities in which they conduct hands-on experiments with a common faucet and then work with real-world USGS streamflow data to gain a better understanding of flow rate and how it pertains to engineering and applied science. From their experiment calculations, they hypothesize about the flow rate in a nearby river, and then use USGS streamflow data to check their hypotheses. For this lesson to be effective, make sure students obtain a visual feel for the flow in a nearby river.
Civil engineers are responsible for designing the systems that bring water from a natural setting such as a river or lake to the towns and cities where that water is needed. Civil engineers also manage natural system for flood control and drought mitigation. Students who complete this acitivty will have a greater understanding for what civil engineers who design water systems do and what skills they use in their careers.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Conduct a scientific investigation.
- Collect, interpret and analyze data in an organized way.
- Calculate the flow rate of a faucet.
- Estimate the flow rate of a river or stream based on visual observation.
- Use the Internet to collect real-time data.