The rate of groundwater flow per unit area through a body of rock or sediment depends ________.
A) only on the slope of the local water table
B) only on the porosity of the rock or sediment
C) on the slope of the water table and the porosity of the rock or sediment
D) on the slope of the water table and the permeability of the rock or sediment

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rate of groundwater flow per unit area through a body of rock or sediment depends on the slope of the water table and the permeability of the rock or sediment. The slope of the water table affects the hydraulic gradient and the pressure difference that drives groundwater flow, while permeability influences the ease with which groundwater can flow through the rock or sediment. Porosity is a measure of the volume of void space in a material, but it does not directly affect the rate of groundwater flow.

The Rate of Groundwater Flow Per Unit Area Through a Body