Transcript How do impact craters form?

Activity 2.2
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Modeling Martian Craters
Big Question:
How do impact craters form?
Focus Questions:
1. How do impact craters form on
planets?
2. How do scientists study impact
craters on Earth and Mars?
3. What do scientists learn by
studying impact craters?
Students will be able to:
1. Explain how impact craters form on planets.
2. Describe how scientists study Impact Craters on Earth and
Mars and what they can learn from them.
3. Identify factors that influence size & shape of impact craters.
5. Use a 3-dimensional model to study impact craters.
Why Compare Earth and Mars?
Rocks from space crash into planets (including Earth) all the
time. If space rocks are large enough, they will explode into the
ground forming a crater.
(Craters are also formed on Earth and Mars by volcanoes.)
Space rocks that create craters are call Impactors.
The rock melts and sends fragments flying called ejecta which
piles up around the crater and forms a raised rim.
Rocks from space have different names.
METEOROIDS - Rocks traveling through space
METEORS -
Meteoroids that enter a planet’s atmosphere
METEORITES - Meteors that survive the trip and land
IMPACTORS - Meteorites that explode upon impact and
create craters
Host Researcher
Earth and Space Science
Jim has visited craters all over the
world, but can only view them on
Mars from afar…
Impact craters on Mars can:
•Uncover rocks below the surface
•Help in determining age of areas
Jim Garvin, Ph.D.
NASA Chief Scientist
NASA Headquarters
•Show ejecta that look like mud…
could have melted underground
ice… water??
Students Objectives for 2.2:
1. Explore how impact craters
form.
2. Investigate factors that
influence the size and shape
of impact craters.
3. Create a 3-dimensional model
model of Martian Impact
craters.
Materials Needed:
•Activity Masters 2.2 A & B
•Safety Goggles
•Trays with 5 cm deep flour
•Cocoa powder
•Modeling clay
•Toothpicks
•Meter tapes
•Balance scale (optional)
Lizzie shows the importance of
wearing goggles
Procedure: Part 1
1. Set up flour tray with cocoa
2. Make clay impactor and
drop it from 30 cm
3. Lift out with 2 toothpicks
and make observations
Part 2 & 3: Design and Conduct an
Investigation p. 63
1. Brainstorm factors affecting crater size or shape.
2. Choose one factor to investigate =
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
3. Choose a factor to measure each time you adjust
Independent Variable = DEPENDENT VARIABLE
4. Form a HYPOTHESIS
5. Design experiment and try it out!
Part 4: Modeling Martian Impact Craters
1. Outline rims of craters on Master 2.2A, measure and record
on Master 2.2B
2. Calculate scale factor for your model
3. Using prior information, develop a plan to create a 3-D scale
model of Craters A through E
4. Follow your plan and create the model in the flour tray, may
take some trial and error
5. Complete the table on Master 2.2B
Observations: p 64
1. What factors influenced
size and shape of
craters?
2. How are your craters
similar/different from
Mars?
3. Was your 1st try at
creating 3-D scale model
successful? Why or why
not?
Mary Cahill’s students
Conclusions: (answer suggestions p. 65)
1. What are some advantages and
disadvantages of using 3-D models to
study craters on Mars?
2. How could you make a more realistic
model of craters on Mars?
3. Revisit Big Question - How do Impact
Craters Form?
Multimedia Components
•
TJO & Digital Labs
Novel: Mars Year 1: Missing Brad Strickland & Thomas Fuller
National Science Standards:
•Science as Inquiry
•Earth and Space Science
•History and Nature of Science
•Science in Personal and Social
Perspectives
What standards in your state?
www.jason.org, Team JASON Online,
Teacher Center, then Align with
Standards & Textbooks
Questions and Adaptations
THANK YOU!