1. Moon Crater Lab

2. Do now Swbat analyze the factors affecting the appearance of impact craters and ejecta
Observe the two photo’s of the moon’s surface
How and when do you think those craters formed?

3. Moon Craters Vs. Earth Craters
METEORS!!!!!!!
The moon has no atmosphere
So there is no erosion
Neil Armstrong’s foot print is still there today!
LUNAR SURFACE – fine powder above a harder surface created from ancient volcanoes and lava flows
If there is no erosion how did the surface get covered in fine powder?

4. Background information Guide
Read aloud Questions
Meteor Crater, Arizona

5. Anatomy of Craters

6. Lab Background/Overview
Write your Purpose:
The objective of this lab is to test the relationship between crater size and either the kinetic energy or the mass of an object that creates it.
Vocab:
Kinetic energy= energy of motion- FASTER= more kinetic energy
Rays- the lines of ejected material from a crater
Diameter- the distance across a circle
You have a choice in your group of 3
Choice- Change the Mass of the object or Change the Height of the object

7. Hypothesis
The objective of this lab is to test the relationship between crater size and either the kinetic energy or the mass of an object that creates it.
Your hypothesis needs to be written as an if, then, because statement.
Your Independent variable is either changing the mass or height dropped
Your dependent variable is how it effects the diameter, depth, and length of rays for an impact crater.
Sentence Starter:
If the ______independent variable____ of the object is ___________,then the diameter of the impact crater will ________, the depth will ______________, and the length of the rays will ___________________ because_______________________________________.

8. Procedures Procedures:
1. What steps would you need to take in order to test how the height (kinetic energy) effects a crater?
2.What would you need to do if you were testing how mass effects a crater?
T-W-P-S
Write down a rough draft of procedures as a group
We will finalize them as a class.

9. Data Tables
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
Independent Variable
(Height or mass) (cm or g)
Depth of crater (cm)
Diameter of crater (cm)
Average Length of all rays (cm)
You will need to create 3 data tables like this one for the 3 different heights or masses you will be using

10. Exit Ticket What gives the moon its appearance?
Why does the moon have a fine layer of powder with solid rock underneath it?
What is an impact crater?
What is the “ray” of an impact crater?
Why do the craters of the moon never seem to go away?
What is a diameter?

11. Lab What I should hear (-(o.o)-)
What I should see O.O
Students working urgently to perform the lab
Sharing the bin
Staying in your own group
What I should hear (-(o.o)-)
Vocabulary words, “rays, diameter, impact crater”
Discussion about the lab
This lab will be conducted outside
Teams of 3 (your tables)
2 groups will be at each bin
(Demonstration of expectations)
General Procedures:
Perform the lab
Once completed, work on the discussion questions with your group in the classroom. (need to be seated)

12. DO Now

13. Lab What I should hear (-(o.o)-)
What I should see O.O
Students working urgently to perform the lab
Sharing the bin
Staying in your own group
What I should hear (-(o.o)-)
Vocabulary words, “rays, diameter, impact crater”
Discussion about the lab
This lab will be conducted outside
Teams of 3 (your tables)
2 groups will be at each bin
(Demonstration of expectations)
General Procedures:
Perform the lab
Once completed, work on the discussion questions with your group in the classroom. (need to be seated)

14. Results
Data and Graphs

15. Communication
Presenting your graphs/ conclusions and data