twlclessons_astronomycompositionofstarsandplanets

7/31/2019 TWLCLessons_AstronomyCompositionofStarsandPlanets

1/4

Title: Astronomy The Composition of Stars andPlanets

CONTENT AREA:Earth Science - Astronomy

GRADE LEVEL:Middle and High School

STANDARDS:

Early in the history of the universe, matter, primarily the light atomshydrogen and helium, clumped together by gravitational attraction to

form countless trillions of stars. Billions of galaxies, each of which is a

gravitationally bound cluster of billions of stars, now form most of the

visible mass in the universe.

Stars produce energy from nuclear reaction, primarily the fusion ofhydrogen to form helium. These and other processes in stars have led

to the formation of all the other elements.

PURPOSE:Students will understand that each celestial object is made

up of the same elements we see on Earth, and that each object has a

specific chemical composition.

LENGTH OF TIME:45 minutes

MATERIALS:Small, sealable sandwich bags (6)

Colored Sprinkles

(min. three bottles of each of the following colors:

Green, Blue, Red, Orange, Brown, Yellow)

Copies of Student Sheet

One copy of Resource Sheet

Fast FactsThe Big Bang theory is the prevailing

cosmological model that attempts to explain tformation and development of the universe.

From a single, infinitesimally small point, the

universe expanded rapidly, and continues to

expand today. According to most recent

estimates, the universe is between 13-14 bill

years old.

The saying that all humans are stardust is tr

Elements such as oxygen, carbon, and iron (a

every other element) are forged inside giant

stars. When these stars explode, they spread

their elements across the galaxy. Some of theelements then came together to form Earth, a

a tiny portion of those came to form each hum

being as well as every other living and non-

living thing!

Element: In this lesson, element refers to any

one of the chemical elements, of which 98 are

known to occur naturally on Earth. Elements a

listed on the periodic table, and are separated

into metalsand non-metals. Each element

consists of one type of atom characterized by

atomic number, which is the number of protonin a nucleus.


2/4

WHOLE GROUP/SMALL GROUP:

1. Discuss (review) the periodic table of elements with the whole group.a. What elements do they know?b. Where in our world can we find these elements?

2. Transition to the science of Astronomy and explain that the universe is made up of all these sameelements. The sun, as well other stars, Earth, and other planets, all are made up of differentelements. The universe started with just two elements: hydrogen and helium. From those two

elements came stars, and from those stars came every element on the periodic table.

3.

Divide the whole group into six smaller groups, giving each group a number (1-6.) Give each groupone sandwich bag with their number written on the outside of the bag. In addition, every group will

receive a large amount of colored sprinkles in each color.

4. From the Resource Sheet, give each small group the Celestial Object Card that correlates to thegroups number.

5. Give each student a copy of the Student Sheet and read directions as a whole group.6. Students, in their small groups, will separate the colored sprinkles according to their Celestial

Object Card and place them in their baggie. When finished adding the sprinkles, each group will

shake their bag to mix up the contents.

Example: Groups will estimate the amount of sprinkles needed for each color in their bag.

For instance, if the group is working on Saturns Atmosphere, their bag will consist

of 96% green sprinkles, 3% red sprinkles, and 1% mixed-colors ( :

random selection of any colored sprinkles.)

7. When complete, give each group a different groups bag. Groups will attempt to hypothesize whichcelestial object they are looking at, and each member will record his/her answers on the Student

Sheet. Continue rotating bags amongst groups until all groups are able to guess the remaining

bodies.

FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS

1. What can a planets atmospheric composition tell us about its surface?2. Why do you think each celestial body is different?3. If we were to look at the composition of other stars, would they look similar or different to our Sun?4. How do you think scientists know what the Sun and other celestial bodies are made of?

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES1. Students work in pairs and are assigned a celestial object (examples: Venus, an asteroid, the

Moon, the Sun, etc.) and conduct research on the chemical composition, as well as overall

makeup, shape, and location of the object, including any atmosphere it may have. Each group will

present their celestial object to the whole group via PowerPoint or similar digital presentation

software.


3/4

STUDENT SHEET: COMPOSITION OF THE UNIVERSE

Directions: Using your Celestial Object card, your group will create the composition of your object using

colored sprinkles. Fill your baggie with the proper estimated amount of the appropriate sprinkles, which

will represent your Celestial Object!

Green Sprinkles Blue Sprinkles

Red Sprinkles Yellow Sprinkles

Orange Sprinkles Brown Sprinkles

The Sun

H: 92.1 %

He: 7.8%

Earth's AtmosphereN: 78.0%

O: 21.0%

Saturns Atmosphere

H: 96.0%

He: 3.0%

Mercury's Atmosphere

He: 42.0%

Na: 42.0%

O: 15:0%

Jupiters AtmosphereH: 75.0%

He: 24.0%

Mars Atmosphere

CO2: 95.0%

N: 3.0%

Use this chart below to complete the activity. Compare each bag to the above compositions. Write the

name of the celestial object next to each number.

Bag # Name of the Celestial Object

1

2

3

4

5

6


4/4

RESOURCE SHEET: CELESTIAL BODIES (SOURCE: NASA)

Directions: Cut out and give each card to a separate group.

#1: The Sun

H: 92.1% He: 7.8% O: 0.1%

#2: Earths Atmosphere

N: 78% O: 21% Other: 1%

#3: Mercurys Atmosphere

He: 42% Na: 42% O: 15%Other: 1%

#4:Jupiters Atmosphere

H: 75% He: 24% Other: 1%

#5: Saturns Atmosphere

H: 96% He: 3% Other: 1%

#6: Mars Atmosphere

CO2: 95% N: 3% Other: 2%

twlclessons_astronomycompositionofstarsandplanets

Documents