Angles and Area


Source Institutions

Source Institutions

Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive
In this activity (page 10 of PDF), learners approximate the area of the uppermost cross section of an impact crater using a variety of square grids. They conclude which angle of impact results in the greatest area. There are two versions of this activity: Challenge, where students construct a launcher and create their own craters; and Non-Challenge where students analyze pictures of craters. Includes a pre-lesson activity (p54). The Moon Math: Craters! guide follows a 5E approach, applying concepts of geometry, modeling, data analysis to the NASA lunar spacecraft mission, LCROSS.

Quick Guide


Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes

Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes

Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per student

Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14

Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Simulation

Language:
English

Materials List (per student)


  • Shallow pan
  • Soil-like substance
  • Spherical projectile (description p6 of guide)
  • Launching device (guidelines p5-6 of guide)
  • Bed sheet (or other drape for spreading on the floor under the pan of soil)
  • Transparencies of 3 different square grids: 2 cm x 2 cm, 1 cm x 1 cm, 1/2 x 1/2 cm (templates on pp. 41-43 of PDF)
  • Tape
  • Wet erase markers (1 light, 1 dark)
  • Approximating Area Pre-lesson Activity student worksheet (p. 54 of PDF)
  • Activity B – Crater Area student worksheet (p. 55 of PDF)
  • Non-Challenge Version -- Activity A – Impact Crater Images (p. 52 of PDF)

Subjects


  • Earth and Space Science
    • Astronomy
      • Probes, Satellites and Spacecraft
    • Solar System
      • The Moon
      • Asteroids and Comets
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Collection
      • Data Representation
    • Geometry
      • Plane Geometry
    • Measurement
      • Size and Scale
      • Circles
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Momentum and Velocity
      • Projectile Motion
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data

Audience


To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other


Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • NASA

Rights:

  • Public domain, ,