Unit 1 in 8th Grade is about how objects move and collide. The central theme in this unit is asteroid collisions. In studying this we will see how there is evidence of past asteroids collisions in the fossil record, learn how Newton's Laws and the Law of Conservation of Energy explain why some asteroids are more devastating than others, and analyze the impact size of asteroids with different speeds and masses.
Learn about the difference between asteroids, meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites:
Learn about the 10 biggest known asteroid impacts on Earth:
Explore how differences in variables can change the impact crater size. How are energy and crater size related? (Computer only - doesn't work on the iPad.)
Read about a massive asteroid impact that occured 3.26 billion years ago:
Videos of a meteor exploding over Russia
Videos of a meteor exploding over Russia
The impact crater at Meteor Crater Arizona. The impact occurred about 50,000 years ago. Read more here.
When discussing motion there are several terms we use:
Ex: 5 meters or 5 m
Ex: 5 m South
Ex: 5 meters per second or 5 m/s
Ex: 5 m/s North
Read more about motion terms here and watch this video about Speed and Velocity.
How would a person inside and outside of the car describe the motion of the water balloon differently?
See the importance of describing the frame of reference when discussing motion
Learn how all motion is relative