Year 7 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 14
Master Worksheet
Learning Goals
Read the crater data
A student dropped the same marble into a tray of flour from five heights and measured the average crater diameter. Study the table, then answer the questions.
| Drop height (cm) | Average crater diameter (mm) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 24 |
| 40 | 31 |
| 60 | 37 |
| 80 | 42 |
| 100 | 46 |
(a) Describe the trend shown in the data. What happens to the crater diameter as the drop height increases?
(b) Sketch a simple line graph of the data on the axes below. Plot drop height along the bottom and average crater diameter up the side, then join your points.
Plan the full investigation
Scenario
The Moon and the rocky planets are covered in round craters made when space rocks struck their surfaces. You cannot watch a real crater form, so you will model one by dropping a ball into a tray of flour. This time you decide to investigate a different question: how does the mass of the ball affect the diameter of the crater, when the drop height is kept the same? Plan a fair, reliable investigation using the Working Scientifically skills from this whole unit.
(a) Write a clear, testable question, then name the independent variable, the dependent variable and at least two controlled variables.
(b) Outline your method. Explain step by step what you would do, including how many repeats you would take, and how you would tabulate and graph your results before drawing a conclusion.
(c) Evaluate this statement: "Dropping balls into flour tells us nothing real about craters on the Moon." Do you agree? Justify your answer, explaining how careful observation and a fair test can give us real, testable knowledge of the sky.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?