Embedded Files
Lesson overview
Lesson overview
Today we are going to explore distance in space. You will learn how distance is measured in space and understand that it is measured this way due to the vast distances involved in space.
Watch the video to learn more about the activities.
Challenges
Challenges
Challenges
Challenges
Some of the activities in this lesson are must do activities. These are also called a mini challenge. Please have a go at the should do activities and reach out to your teacher if you need assistance. You could also spend some extra time problem solving a solution to these challenges. Finally, there are super challenge activities, the could do activities. We strongly encourage you to try these.
Activity 1 - The size of things
Activity 1 - The size of things
Space is so vast that we need to use scientific notation to summarise all the zeros when we look at distances. Also, when we dive deep into the atom we find things so ridiculously small it is hard to comprehend.
Task 1 - What is Scientific Notation?
Task 1 - What is Scientific Notation?
First, we are going to revise scientific notation by going to the Maths is fun website. Select the link and read the information.
Read over the information and try the quiz at the end.
Task 2
Task 2
Have a go at some of the maths is fun questions on the above website. Record what you did in your workbook.
Task 3 - The Scale of the Universe
Task 3 - The Scale of the Universe
Navigate to The Scale of the Universe and select English (British).
Select Start.
Use the scroll bar to zoom in and out.
Click on each object to learn more.
Complete the worksheet below.
Click on the button to open a new tab and view the Google Doc.
Click on the Use Template button to create a copy for you to edit.
Activity 2 - Why do we use models in Science?
Activity 2 - Why do we use models in Science?
Task 1
Task 1
Models are used to visualise objects that are too big or too small to be seen in the current setting.
Answer the following questions in your exercise book or folder:
Describe the models represented by the images below?
Can you list any other models that you are familiar with?
Model A: What does this represent?
Model B: What does this represent?
Task 2
Task 2
Read the example of a model below.
If a thickness of a piece of paper = the distance from the Earth to the Sun then:
The nearest star is a stack of paper.......27m high.
The diameter of our galaxy, the milky way is.......496 km high
The nearest galaxy is.......a stack 9,600km high
The edge of the known universe is.......50 million km high (1/3 of the actual distance to the sun).
We can see how the model quickly becomes too hard to scale but even so, it is still really helpful.
In your exercise book or folder:
List 3 good reasons why we use models like the ones above.
List 3 other models that we use to help explain scientific concepts.
Activity 3 - Communicating distance
Activity 3 - Communicating distance
Watch the opening scene from the movie 'Contact'.
Answer these questions about the video in your exercise book or folder:
What sound bites did you recognise in the video?
What is the video showing us as the space craft moves further from the Sun?
Activity 4 - LIGHTYEAR.FM: A journey through space, time, & music.
Activity 4 - LIGHTYEAR.FM: A journey through space, time, & music.
Task
Task
Click on the image to interact with the embedded interactive Lightyear.FM.
Using your headphones, explore sound tracks over the different distances from the Earth.
Answer the questions in your exercise book or folder.
Why do you think the soundtracks only go back 110 years?
List some of the objects that the radio waves pass over the 110 years.
Handing in your work
Handing in your work
Don't forget to hand in the work you completed today!
Your teacher will have told you to do one of the following:
Upload any digital documents you created and any photos you took of your written work to your Learning Management system (MS Teams, Google Classroom for example).
Email any digital documents you created and any photos you took of your written work to your teacher.
Make sure you keep any hand written work you did in your exercise book or folder as your teacher may need to see these when you are back in class.
Student reflection
Student reflection
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