3-TAS-03 How Did We Get Here?

Outcomes

• Pupils can describe the Big Bang, nucleosynthesis and planet formation.
• Pupils can use the standard form and symbols for orders of magnitude.
• Pupils understand the concept of escape velocity.

Specification References

• Not applicable

Starter

• Video clip of Universe's "first three minutes".

Main Body of Lesson

• Slide show of the different stages in the Big Bang as far as galaxy formation.
• Show Powers of 10 video (the proper old-school Eames one)
  • Pupils complete worksheet on orders of magnitude and prefixes.
• Pupils create powers of ten poster for one particular distance scale.
  • Pupils can range from 10⁻¹⁰ (1Å – atomic radius) to 10²⁰ (galactic diameter).
• Show videos of shuttle and rocket launches.
• Give explanation of escape velocity.
  • Pupils calculate escape velocity for Sun, Earth, Moon and Mars.
• Introduce concept of momentum and relate to rocket launches
  • Launch water rocket
  • Launch Estes solid-fuel rocket

Plenary

• Orders of magnitude prefixes quiz.

Homework

• Design race of alien for Alien Planet Project.

Additional Information

Resources Required

• Powers of 10 video
• Rocket/shuttle launch videos

Textbook References

• None

Website References

• Official Powers of 10 website
• Simpsons spoof of Powers of 10
• The Powers of 1

Skills Addressed

• Calculation

Safety/Hazards

• Water rocket will splash pupils (if done right).
• Estes rocket uses solid fuel motor.

Notes

• None