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American Museum of Natural History

Exploring Density

The Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites

Educator's Guide: Activity

Overview:

In the early solar nebula, particles clumped together, building up into larger and larger bodies. These objects repeatedly crashed into each other as they orbited the sun, shattering them or compacting them. The planets and larger asteroids began to melt and differentiate. Dense metal material sunk to the core. Silicate material formed the mantle. Further heating of the mantle caused the crust to form.

Resource Use

The activity Exploring Density is designed to help students understand the concept of differentiation. When planets differentiate, dense materials sink; lighter materials float.

Have students determine the density of marshmallow fluff and molasses by filling identical beakers to the same level with each material and weighing both beakers. Then, place a dome of marshmallow fluff in the bottom of a clear bowl. Have students thin out fluff near edges and add molasses until it is about 3" deep. Ask students to predict what will happen and why. Then, observe what happens. Which material ends up on top? Why? Discuss the results with students and have them draw conclusions about why dense material is at the core of differentiated planets.

  • More About This Resource...

    • This activity, a supplement to the Hall of Meteorites Educator's Guide, introduces students to the concept of differentiation: Denser materials sink to form the core of a planet, and lighter materials form the crust.

      • Students pour molasses over marshmallow fluff and observe what ends up on top.
      • They then discuss the results and draw conclusions about why dense material is at the core of differentiated planets.

    • Completion Time

      Approximately 1 period

    • Origin

      Hall of Meteorites

    • Topic

      Astronomy

    • Subtopic

      Concepts

    • Subtopic

      National Science Education Standards
      Grades K-4:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • properties of objects and materials• position and motion of objects

      Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D: 

      • properties of earth materials• objects in the sky• changes in earth and sky

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor

      Grades 5-8:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • properties and changes of properties in matter• motions and forces

      Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D: 

      • structure of the earth system• earths history• earth in the solar system

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor

      Grades 9-12:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • structure and properties of matter• motions and forces

      Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D: 

      • origin and evolution of the earth system

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor

    • Learning Standard

      National Science Education Standards
      Grades K-4:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • properties of objects and materials• position and motion of objects

      Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D: 

      • properties of earth materials• objects in the sky• changes in earth and sky

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor

      Grades 5-8:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • properties and changes of properties in matter• motions and forces

      Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D: 

      • structure of the earth system• earths history• earth in the solar system

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor

      Grades 9-12:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • structure and properties of matter• motions and forces

      Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D: 

      • origin and evolution of the earth system

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor