Tell students that in this Activity, they will simulate the work of Planetary Geologists, and study craters. Review directions on Activity 3.2 Student Worksheet . Have students record these predictions in their Mission Logbooks. After completing the Activity, compile and average student data. Have students share their conclusions and compare these with their pre-Activity prediction.
Older students can extend data to calculate potential and kinetic energy.
Potential energy represents the force of the earth's gravitational pull. Using the large marble, have students calculate the potential energy when the marble is released from the three different drop heights and finally when it is thrown from a height of 200 cm. Students may also calculate the kinetic energy for each of the above 4 drop conditions. The other marbles had only kinetic energy from their potential energy. Explore Procedure 1.