Product Type: Lesson Plan/Activity
Grade Levels: 4-12
Publication Year: 1997
Product Number: EG-1997-10-116-HQ
Subjects: Earth Science, General Science, Space Science
When planets begin to melt, the materials in them begin to separate from one another. The heaviest materials, such as metallic iron, sink to form cores. Low-density magmas rise, forming crusts. This process is called differentiation. In this activity, students will simulate differentiation using pennies, sand, water and toothpicks.
Differentiation Activity [74KB PDF file]
This activity is part of the Exploring the Moon Educator Guide.