Name:
Geology 310
Professor Moosavi
Directions:
1. Write a hypothesis (Hypothesis 1) classifying the planets into 2 or more groups based on their physical properties.
Hypothesis 1:
2. After writing your hypothesis, go to the computer lab to get evidence.
3. Use following web site to investigate the internal structure of Mars at:
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/MPF/science/rotational.html
You will look at other parts of the website later.
4. Next investigate the internal structures of Venus and the outer planets by going to the following web site and following directions thereafter.
ð Windows to the Universe
ð Enter the Site
ð Hit Links to Planet Name in List at Bottom
ð Focus on Interior of Planets and their Layers
Make sure to investigate: Venus & Jupiter or Saturn & Uranus or Neptune
5. Once you have collected your evidence, use it to:
Write a hypothesis (Hypothesis 2) that would explain how the different composition of the planets came to be!
Hypothesis 2:
6. You may work in groups of 2 and have 20 minutes to complete the exercise. Be prepared to report your findings to the class.
1. Write separate hypotheses (4 in all) for the formation of the atmospheres of:
Hypothesis 3: Venus
Hypothesis 4: Mars
Hypothesis 5: Jupiter or Saturn
Hypothesis 6: Uranus or Neptune
2. After writing your hypotheses, go to the computer lab to get evidence.
3. Use following web site to investigate the
atmospheres of Venus, Mars, and the outer planets by going to the following web
site and following directions thereafter.
ð Windows to the Universe
ð Enter the Site
ð Hit Links to Planet Name in List at Bottom
ð In each case look at the composition, temperatures, evolution and history links of the site.
ð DO NOT LOOK AT THE GOLDILOCKS PHENOMENON AT THIS TIME!
Make sure to investigate: Venus & Mars & Jupiter or Saturn & Uranus or Neptune
Record the composition, temperature, pressure, and history of the atmosphere in each case using the table on the next page.
You may work in groups of 2 and have 30 minutes to complete this task. Be prepared to report your findings to the class.
Planetary Atmospheric Information
|
Planet |
Composition |
Temperature |
Pressure |
History |
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Venus |
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Mars |
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Jupiter Or Saturn |
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Uranus Or Neptune |
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Satellite Table
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Satellite
Chosen |
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Planet Orbited |
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Moon composition |
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Moon internal structure |
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Presence or absence of an atmosphere |
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Atmospheric composition |
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Surface temperature |
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Presence of Absence of Craters |
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Mechanism for resurfacing (if any) |
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Formation Method/History |
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Chance to Harbor Life |
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For
Homework:
Not all the terrestrial bodies of the solar system are planets. The larger moons of the outer solar system and our own moon have many traits in common with the terrestrial planets. Take some time to visit the windows.arc.nasa.gov website and look at some of these moons. You can go straight to the table of moons at:
http://windows.arc.nasa.gov/tour/link=/our_solar_system/moons_table.html
Your reading on the Galilean satellites would also help. You should look specifically at the items requested in the Satellite table on the attached sheet. Since this is a lot of work, we will divide the labor up amongst the class. The moons that need to be investigated are:
Luna (earth’s moon) Titan Io Dione
Europa Mimas Ganymede Miranda
Callisto Iapetus Triton
You should be prepared to give a brief introduction to your moon in class at a future date. We will hold a discussion about the different types of moons and vote on which one we would prefer to be stranded on and which we believe would be most likely to support life. (Note, the Forest Moon of Endor is not a valid selection. Sorry Elem. Educators!)
To Turn In:
On a separate sheet of paper type up the 6 hypotheses (5 points ea.) developed and the information you collected which support or refute these hypotheses. State whether or not your hypothesis was supported. Also include the data tables, and a statement about why you think your moon is special and should win the “BEST moon to be stranded on” and “most likely to support life” awards.
Asssessment Rubric:
Item Points
Hypothesis statement is correctly written (i.e. testable and sufficiently specific). 2
Hypothesis statement contains a significant flaw. 1
Hypothesis statement missing. 0
Evidence to support or refute the hypothesis is complete and correctly interpreted. 2
Evidence to support or refute the hypothesis contains errors in interpretation. 1
Evidence to support or refute the hypothesis is lacking or incoherent. 0
The statement to support or refute the hypothesis is present and correct. 1
Planetary Atmosphere Data Table Complete (Partial Credit) 4
Satellite Data Table Complete (Partial Credit) 4
Best Moon and Life Support Statements Rational and Supportable 1 ea.