What Happens When Objects Collide?
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
- Simulate an impact between an object and Moon's surface.
Success Criteria
Success Criteria
- I can model what happens when different objects strike the Moon's surface.
- I can collect data including written data and diagrams.
- I can infer comparisons between my observations and the existence of craters on the Moon.
Questions to Ponder...
Questions to Ponder...
- What happens when objects collide?
- What do you see when you look at the moon?
- How do you explain the appearance of the moon?
- What are some ways people have explained the appearance of the moon in the past?
Lab: A lunar Collision
Lab: A lunar Collision
Introduction
Introduction
- In this lab we will simulate an impact between an object and the Moon's surface.
Materials
- plastic tub filled with flour
- cocoa powder
- ruler
- meter stick
- objects to drop into the flour (rocks - 7-10g)
- safety glasses
Procedures
- Copy the What Happens When Objects Collide? data table into your notebook. Turn your notebook sideways and take up the entire page.
- Sprinkle a little cocoa powder over the flour. (just a light dusting!)
- Have each member of your team drop their object from 75 cm into the container.
- use a diagram to describe the shape and surface of the flour
- smooth out the flour and sprinkle a little more cocoa powder after each impact
- Have each member of your team drop their object from 100 cm into the container.
- use a diagram to describe the shape and surface of the flour
- smooth out the flour and sprinkle a little more cocoa powder after each impact
Back to Teams...
Back to Teams...
- How did the effects of the impact change each time?
- Was the object you dropped affected by the impact?
- What factors affected the size and shape of your craters?
- How do you think these collisions are similar to collisions on the Moon?