Final answer:
When you collect a jar of water from a stream, solid particles will settle to the bottom of the jar while dissolved particles will remain in the water. The sediment in the jar may not represent the entire stream's load. This distinction aids in understanding water quality, as dissolved substances are crucial factors in assessing environmental and ecological impacts.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you collect a jar of water from a stream, the solid particles in the water will settle to the bottom of the jar, while the dissolved particles will remain in the water indefinitely.
The solid particles that settle at the bottom of the jar are called sediment, which includes sand, dirt, and other debris. However, the sample you collect from the stream may not fully represent the entire stream's load as there may be other particles or microorganisms present in the stream that do not settle or get trapped in your sample.