Earth Formation Lab
The point of this lab is understand why the Earth is in layers? We see other objects in space that are not in layers like comets and certain types of asteroids. This process is called "Differentiation"....Earth is differentiated!
Video 1: The video below shows the set up of the lab. You obtain an "Earth Materials" packet containing ice, staples, and styrofoam. This is all placed into a glass beaker. A pinch of oatmeal is added.
Video 2: The beaker is placed on the ring stand and is heated.
Form your hypothesis:
1- Where do you think the four items (ice, styrofoam, staples and oatmeal) will end up in the beaker when you bring it to a rolling boil?
Hypothesis: If I put styrofoam, staples, ice, and oatmeal into a beaker and heat it, they will end up ____________________________.
Form your hypothesis:
1- Where do you think the four items (ice, styrofoam, staples and oatmeal) will end up in the beaker when you bring it to a rolling boil?
Hypothesis: If I put styrofoam, staples, ice, and oatmeal into a beaker and heat it, they will end up ____________________________.
Video 3: Start making your observations. Where is the styrofoam? Write that for observation #1......Where is the water? Write that for observation #2,...... Where is the staples? Write that for #3....Where is the oatmeal? ....if you said the bottom...WAIT! ...when it comes to a boil write down where the oatmeal is at that point....On Video #4 write down how the oatmeal moves....for observation #5.
Video 4: Make your final observations on where the four items ended up. For observation #5, make a note of how the oatmeal is moving in the beaker. Did you see it? .......its moving in circles....Do you know what that circular movement is called? It's called Convection Currents....this movement in the asthenosphere is one of the driving forces causing the plates to move.
At this point you should have the front of your lab filled out. On to the back.
Question 1: Answer where those items ended up (use top, bottom or through out) to describe their location.
Question 2: What causes things to float or sink? Hint: ...its a property that starts with the letter "D"....
Question 3: Where did the least dense material end up? and the Most Dense material end up?
Question 4: Think about the 5 elements....and their position on the periodic table...Iron is 26, Nickel is 28, Silicon is 14, Oxygen is 8, and Magnesium is 12....basically the bigger the number the more dense it is....where would you find these in/on the Earth...
Question 5:..Draw a picture of a Convection Current in your beaker
Question 6: Can you name the layers? C_____ M______ C________
Question 7: Why is the Earth in layers? To answer this correctly you need to mention/talk about/discuss the word "Melted/liquid" and the word "Density".
Come see me with your lab when you are done or if you have questions.
Question 1: Answer where those items ended up (use top, bottom or through out) to describe their location.
Question 2: What causes things to float or sink? Hint: ...its a property that starts with the letter "D"....
Question 3: Where did the least dense material end up? and the Most Dense material end up?
Question 4: Think about the 5 elements....and their position on the periodic table...Iron is 26, Nickel is 28, Silicon is 14, Oxygen is 8, and Magnesium is 12....basically the bigger the number the more dense it is....where would you find these in/on the Earth...
Question 5:..Draw a picture of a Convection Current in your beaker
Question 6: Can you name the layers? C_____ M______ C________
Question 7: Why is the Earth in layers? To answer this correctly you need to mention/talk about/discuss the word "Melted/liquid" and the word "Density".
Come see me with your lab when you are done or if you have questions.