This experiment is a slightly modified transcription of the web pages of the Hawaii Space Grant College. You may find more information about the experiment from their pages.
To investigate the way the diameter of a projectile affects the final form of an impact crater. To compare the results from this activity with real craters observed on the Moon and Mars.
- Put on your apron and roll up your sleeves - this could get messy. Put down some old newspaper or a table covering to catch any "overspill" from the bowl.
- Put an even layer of flour in the high-sided bowl to a depth of approximately 5-6cm. Cover with a thin layer of dry coloured powder paint (any colour will do as long as it contrasts well with the flour underneath. A flour sifter often helps at thi s point to get an even layering).
- Measure the mass and diameter of each impactor, and record this on your data chart. Use a compass to measure the diameter of spherical projectiles.
- Take projectile #1 and drop it onto the prepared surface from a height of 30cm.
- Make a note of the diameter and depth of the crater, and of the number of rays and their length. To measure the diameter, a compass may once again be useful. To measure the depth of the crater, the projectile will have to be removed very carefully with tweezers beforehand. Alternatively, you can measure the depth to the top of the projectile, and add on its diameter to that value. The rays will be visible as white streaks radiating from the crater. Measure each and take an average value. Record all information in your data table.
- Record any other observations you make about the crater.
- Repeat the above with projectile #1, this time dropping it from 60cm, 90cm and 2 metres. Remember to record all information in your data tables.
- Now repeat all of the above steps for projectiles #2 and #3. Use the data tables provided to record information, or create your own.
1. Plot graphs using the data you recorded in your tables. Plot Graph 1 as the average crater diameter vs. projectile height and Graph 2 as average ray length vs. projectile height. Plot a line for each projectile on the same graph, using different symbols to identify each projectile.
2. Explain what each graph tells you about the relationship between the projectile and the crater.
3. If the projectile was dropped from a height of 6m, estimate the size of the final crater from your experimental data.
4. Describe and discuss where possible errors could occur in your experiment. In particular, how could your experimental setup and procedure differ from those of another group carrying out the same experiment with the same instructions?
5. From your experimental observations, describe the appearance of an impact crater. Give reasons why your craters differ from the real craters observed on the Moon and Mars.
Impact crater pagesBackground Information | Teachers Notes
Mars in the Classroom PagesHomepage | Basic information on Mars | Early observations of Mars
Other PagesHawai'i impact crater notes | Hawai'i Playdoh volcano notes | Hawai'i Edible Rocks pages