How Steep Is a Steep Mountain Slope?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How steep is a steep mountain slope?

The Big Idea

Slopes are measured in degrees or in percent grade! A gentle walking path may rise only a few degrees, while a very steep slope can be much more. Cliffs can be close to vertical.

Gentle Paths

Step one: gentle paths. A gentle walking path may rise only a few degrees. It feels easy, like a long, slow ramp, and anyone can stroll up it.

Steep Trails

Step two: steep trails. A steep hiking trail might climb 15 to 20 degrees. That feels like a real workout, and a steep ski run can be 30 degrees or more.

Very Steep

Step three: very steep. A slope of 45 degrees rises as far as it goes across. Cliffs can be close to vertical, which is 90 degrees, straight up and down.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Gentle paths are only a few degrees. Steep trails reach about 15 to 20 degrees. Steep ski runs, for trained skiers, are 30 degrees or more. And cliffs are almost straight up and down.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! A slope of 45 degrees has a 100 percent grade. That means it goes up as many feet as it goes forward. Percent grade and degrees are two ways to say the same thing. Steep slopes are for trained grown-ups with gear only.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Prop a board on a stack of books and roll a ball down it. Add more books to make it steeper. When does the ball roll faster? Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

The steeper the slope, the faster things roll down. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!