UPD8

Crater Impact

Learning objectives

Note: we have now fixed problems people had downloading the game.
1) download the 'zip file' to your machine.
2) Open the zip file using 'winzip' (you can get a free trial copy from www.winzip.com). This will put the files in a new folder on your computer
3) To start the game, click on the file 'index.htm' (or 'game.htm) and it will open with your web browser
You will need the 'Flash' plug-in to play (which most computer have already - there is a link to download it)

The activity sheets support a full investigation. We are doubling this up with a computer game called Comet Chaser. Pupils have to choose the correct parameters to get their rocket to take off, sling shot round a planet, catch the asteroid and land a probe on it.

Try the activity

• Activity Sheets
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• Teachers notes
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• Catch the comet computer game
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You will need Acrobat Reader installed to open the activity sheets.

Curriculum link

Unit 9J Gravity and Space

GCSE specifications
Edexcel - Topic 12, Space and it's mysteries

Running the activity

Why not start by showing the BBC's news story on video? (see weblinks below)

Pupils read page 1 Crater Impact to set the context. Page 2 is a help sheet.
• Asteroid speed Pupils are told that dropping the object from different heights gives it a different speed on impact. Speed is used (rather than height) to make it easier to predict the effect on the kinetic energy of the asteroid and thus the effect of the impact.
• Asteroid mass this can be varied using objects of different sizes. For a fair test, these should be made of the same material e.g. all ball bearings or plasticine. Mass is used (rather than diameter) to make it easier to predict the effect on the kinetic energy of the asteroid and thus the effect of the impact.
• Debris range this is the furthest distance any sand from the 'planet surface' travels. Sprinkling powder paint over the surface with a sieve and tapping the container so it settles makes measurement easier.
• Crater size this is the diameter of the crater that the dropped object makes.
Pupils than plan their investigation, using the question prompts on the help sheet – page 2. Knowledge of the formula for kinetic energy is needed to make predictions about how the speed or mass of the asteroid will affect the impact. Pupils are told that the bigger the kinetic energy, the bigger the crater and the bigger the debris range.It is worth doing a trial run to check that there is enough sand/powder in the tray.

Extension activities- pages 3 and 4
• These activities exploit the context of the investigation, giving it a more personal dimension. Pupils can scale up their results to estimate the effects of a real impact, and also consider ways we could protect ourselves from a collision. They get more practice of calculations and thinking about probabilities.
• Some of the activities are more appropriate for brighter pupils.
• For Activity 1, pupils will need results from an investigation into debris range for the calculation.

Full answers and technician's notes are given on the downloadable version of the teacher's notes.

Web links

News links

The BBC news story on video

a 2 minute report with lovely pictures and animation on how the comet struck

NASA

The place to go for more information.

NASA

Deep Impact information.

NASA

A stunning animation.

Reviews & Comments

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