Earth Science Week Classroom Activities

Finding Slope

Activity Source:

Soil Science Society of America. H.M. Galloway, A.L. Zachery, Agronomy Department, Purdue University,
Revised by S.S. Fulk-Bringman. Adapted with permission.

Earth scientists play an important, if largely invisible, role in many aspects of our daily lives, such as building homes or growing food. For example, geoscientists help determine which locations would be best for undertaking these vital activities.

The slope of the soil is an important soil property to consider when building or planting. The slope gradient is the angle of incline or decline, expressed in the percent of rise or fall of the soil surface from horizontal over a distance of 100 feet.

Soil slope affects the flow of water that can erode the soil. It also affects machinery use, building construction, plantings, maintenance, and on-site waste disposal systems using septic tanks (because seepage can occur down- slope of an absorption field).

Various activities are best suited to specific slope classes (see sidebar). For home construction, for instance, a “gently sloping” slope of 2-6 % is preferred. If the slope is too flat, water doesn’t drain away from the house. If the slope is too steep, erosion and soil stability can be a problem.

Materials

• Calibrated stake
• String (about 12 inches)
• Heavy paper clip
• Tack
• Clip board
• Computer with Internet connection

Procedure

1. Discuss: Certified soil scientists usually use a Clinometer or Abney level to determine slope. You can make a slope finder using the “Supplemental Worksheet (slope finder)” to determine the approximate slope of landscapes around you.

2. Find a slope to measure.

3. Mount the slope finder on the back of a board or clip board with the top line parallel with the sighting edge. Use a tack to attach a string from the point marked with a plus sign, and attach a heavy paper clip to the other end of the string.

4. Set a calibrated stake at both the top and bottom of the slope to be measured.

5. Sight at a point from the top of one stake to the top of the other stake. Hold the slope finder steady.

6. After sighting, pinch a string against the scale and read the percent slope directly.

7. Discuss: Would this slope be a good one on which to build a house? For what activities do you think this sloped soil would be useful?