Physics

» t1nick - taphonomy and turulent flow dynamics

I have a scalar problem that I need assistance with. My science modeling club has set up a 5ft X 5ft stream to develop a taphonomy model. It our hopes that we can can construct a simple model that will predict how far bones (large lab rat unarticulated) will be washed downstream by a constant volume of water and a constant slope.
I understand how to use the Manning Equation to determine the velocity of water flowing in an open channel. We will pace the bones at the apex of an initial curve in our stream, They will travel approximately 45-60 cm to another curve, which will then end in a staight away to finish off the stream channel.
I would like to use the mass of the bones in thge calculations as a variable predicting how far they may or may not travel. i would also like to use a scalar measurement to adjest the velocity of the water based upon the change of directions due to the two curves in the stream.
The limitations on the part of my students lies in the fact that they are all pre-calculus (Algebra I, Algebra II, & Trig. capable.
To summarize, I can find velocity of the open channel; but I need to correlate force of the water, with its acceleration and the mass of the bones to determine how far they will potentially travel. I have looked some at reflectance equations, but I'm not sure how to proceed.
Thanks

-- posted by t1nick