The hypothesis supported by the experiment suggests that water plays a significant role in weathering and erosion, breaking down rocks and shaping landscapes. The exact hypothesis is difficult to determine without the diagram, but the interaction of water with rocks influences the rock cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hypothesis supported by the experiment's results, based on the descriptions provided, most likely pertains to the effects of water in the rock cycle, specifically through weathering and erosion. Without the exact images, it's challenging to provide a specific answer. However, generally speaking, as water interacts with rocks, physical and chemical weathering processes occur, leading to the breakdown of these rocks and the creation of sedimentary rocks. For example, mechanical weathering by water can cause rocks to fracture and break, while chemical weathering can alter the mineral composition of rocks, often involving water as a solvent or chemical reactant, contributing to soil formation.
Weathering leads to the disintegration of rock into finer particles such as gravel, sand, and clay, which are then transported by erosion. Over time, the continuous action of water can carve out valleys and shape landscapes. Although the exact hypothesis supported by the student's experiment is unclear without the diagram, we can infer that observations of changes in rock size or composition during the experiment could be attributed to these weathering and erosion processes.