MODELING THE CYCLE
PART THREE
OUR SOLAR SYSTEM, TESLA SCIENCE NOTEBOOKS
BIG IDEA:
A system is an organized group of related objects that form a
whole. Our solar system is a group of planets, and other celestial
objects that orbit the sun.
Remember… In our investigation of the
moon, we are trying to help Frankie find
out why the Moon was showing up
framed in his window at different times
and in different shapes? So far we
have identified that the moon follows a
predictable and repeated cycle that
lasts about 29 days… one month.
• Our observations prove that Frankie would have seen the moon
showing up in his window at different times and in different shapes.
• But our data doesn't tell us why the moon’s appearance changes
and repeats a cycle.
FOCUS QUESTION:
• What is the problem we need to solve?
To help Frankie finally answer his question and write an ending
to his story, we need to determine why the moon’s appearance
changes in a predictable cycle.
Why does the moon’s appearance change in a
predictable cycle?
PREDICTION:
I want you to share what you think could be the best answer to
our focus question.
I think that the moons appearance changes in a cycle because…
BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE:
Up until know we have been recording observations of the moon,
identifying patterns in the data we collected, and are trying to predict
reasons why the moons appearance changes each day.
Today we are going to explore the astronomer's’ explanation for what
causes the moon’s cycle using models.
Astronomer:
A scientist who studies celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.
BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE:
Is the moon a light source? Does it emit its own light? (Like the Sun)
No… The moon is a solid piece of material in space. It is like
this foam ball. The moon does not create its own light.
So what is the source of light on the moon that makes it light up and
change appearance?
The Sun… Since we can’t actually visit the sun and moon,
astronomers use models to explain what is happening.
BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE:
Scientists believe that moonlight is light from the sun that shines onto the
moon. From Earth we see the part of the moon that is illuminated (lit) by
the sun, but we don’t see the same amount each day.
We can click on the link or the image to the
right to watch an animation of what
scientists believe causes the moon’s
appearance to change.
http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/phases-of-the-moon
Quick Write:
If the moon does not emit its own light, then why does it appear to be illuminated (lit) from Earth?
MODELING THE MOONS PHASES/CYCLE
The university of Nebraska-Lincoln has developed another online simulator that can
help us recreate and understand how our view of the moon changes and causes
each of the different phases in the cycle.
We can click on the link, or the image, to
the left to access the simulator. Using the
simulator we can drag the moon to orbit the
earth and recreate each of the moon
phases.
http://astro.unl.edu/naap/lps/animations/lps.html
MODELING THE MOONS PHASES/CYCLE
We are going to try to replicate what we saw in the Wonderville and NebraskaLincoln simulations and model the moons cycle with a physical model. We can
do this with a light, a foam ball (Moon on a Stick), and a dark room.
Moon
Sun lit side of
the moon
Sun
She can’t see the
lit side of the
moon so her view
is a new moon
Which phase of the moon would this person currently be viewing?
Our View from Earth
New Moon
MODELING THE MOONS PHASES/CYCLE
Using the physical model, try to replicate each of the major phases of the moon…
New Moon, 1st Quarter, Full Moon, Last Quarter.
Phases of the Moon
New Moon
Sun
Phase:
Moon
Earth
Phase:
Phase:
Record a pictorial version of your results in your science notebook
MODELING THE MOONS PHASES/CYCLE
Sometimes scientists need to see an idea modeled in more than one way
before it makes sense.
You can take the “moon on a stick” model
outside and observe the relationship between
the moon and the sun first hand.
This model requires a clear day when the
moon is visible during the daytime.
Do we have enough information to help Frankie finally answer
his question and write an ending to his story?
MAKING MEANING:
What is the source of the moon’s light?
•
The Sun
What causes the changes in the moon’s shape according to scientists?
•
The moon orbits the earth so we see different parts of the moon being illuminated (lit by
the sun).
What causes the new moon phase?
•
The sun is illuminating the half of the moon that we can’t see from earth.
What causes the full moon phase?
•
The sun is illuminating the half of the moon we can see from earth.
Why does the moon’s cycle take 29 days to complete?
•
This is the length of time it takes the moon to orbit the sun.
CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE
November
2011
11/8
Based on what you have learned from your investigations of the moon, you need to
record at least 3 claims and evidence statements in your science notebook.
I claim that…
I know this because…
Possible Examples:
I claim that we only see the portion of the moon lit by the sun. I know this because…
I claim that the moon’s shape appears to change because the moon orbits earth. I
know this because…
REFLECTION AND CONCLUSION
November
11/8
• What did you learn…?
• What really surprised you…?
• What new questions do you have…?
• What would you like to know more about…?
2011