to demonstrate how some Martian craters were formed
to examine how the velocity and mass of the "impactor" affect the size of the crater
1 large aluminum pan
"Mars" surface material (flour, baking soda, corn meal, corn starch and dust, dry tempera paint or powdered drying mixes
sieve or sifter
balance
3 marbles
1 small ball bearing
3 solid spheres - 2.5 cm in diameter of different materials (wood, plastic, aluminum)
metre stick
plastic ruler with middle depression
protractor
water spray can
graph paper
plastic drop sheet (to protect the floor)
Fill the pan with "surface material" to a depth of 5-6 cm. Smooth the surface, then tap the pan to make the materials settle evenly.
Sprinkle a fine layer of dry tempera paint evenly and completely over the surface. Use a sieve or sifter for more uniform layering.
Record the appearance of the surface before testing.
Measure the mass of the different impactors and record.
Drop the first impactor (marble) from a height of 30 cm onto the prepared surface. Measure the diameter and depth of the resulting crater.
Note the presence of ejecta (rays). Count the rays, measure and determine the average length of all the rays. Record measurements and any other observations you have about the appearance of the crater on your Data Chart. Make three trials.
Smooth the surface before you start. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for impactors #2 and #3 (different materials.)
Smooth the surface before you start. Repeat steps 5, 6 and 7 at heights of 60 and 90 cm. Complete your Data Chart.
Complete the data chart and record your observations.
Draw a picture of the crater from the top view and the side view (if possible)
Label the parts based on your research.
What can you determine about the crater size and velocity of the impactor?
What do the data reveal about the ejecta length and the velocity of the impactor?
Draw conclusions about the size of the impactor and the size of the crater.
Record your conclusions in your electronic portfolio or Scientific Journal.
Use Plaster of Paris or wet sand instead of the dry materials.
Repeat the activity but this time change the angle of impact and record the results. What would the rays look like if the angle is changed?
Post your results in the marsville.mars2005.science (newsreader access) or marsville.mars2005.science (web access) discussion group..
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