The model meteorites are small rocks, marbles, or ball bearings. When dropped into a pan filled with grits, cornmeal, and cocoa, the model meteorites form craters with raised ridges and rays of debris. Some students notice the model limitations. High speed model meteorites bounce off the bottom of the pan, which may affect the size of the crater. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to conduct science inquiry.
Students use metric rulers to measure the size of the craters.
Students perform three trials of each experimental meteorite drop into the pan. 6.6 Science concepts . The student knows that there is a relationship between force and motion. The discussion flows into comparing the surface appearance of Earth and Luna, and questioning why so many craters cover Luna's surface while Earth's surface appears virtually craterless. Agents of erosion, like water and wind, over long periods of time erase or hide craters.