Rosshall Academy S2
Pupil Workbook
NAME-
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Journey to Mars
In this topic you will learn about the Solar System and beyond.
What is needed for life to exist? What are the chances of life
being found outside of the Earth?
How can you get from the Earth to other planets and what
might happen to you as you journey into space?
Finally you will try to plan a journey to Mars. You will need to
think about what would be needed to get there? What would be
needed when you are there? What do you need to get back?
Page 5 – Analysing Agricultural Materials
Page 6 – What’s your weight?
Page 7 – Communicating in Space
Page 8 – Survival of the fittest
Page 9 - Friction
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Listed in the boxes below are the outcomes and experiences which you
will cover in this topic. After completing the topic look over all your work
in your folio and your booklet then honestly decide if you fully understand
each outcome and could confidently carry out any tasks described.
Tick one of the 3 boxes e.g. green, orange, red.
If you chose S then explain how you know this. For any which you did not
tick the secure box, explain what you are going to do to develop your
understanding. This will be useful to look back at before and tests.
Outcomes and
experiences
I know some facts about
planets in the Solar
System
R O G How do I know I can do this or can you do to
improve your learning in this outcome?
I know the difference
between mass and weight
I know the units for mass
and weigh.
I can explain how signals
can be sent over very
large distances
I can explain how waves
other than light can be
used to send messages
I can explain what human
beings need to survive
long journeys in space
I can evaluate the chances
of life existing elsewhere
in space
I can give examples of
useful substances
extracted from volcanoes.
I can explain why friction
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is a force
I know that friction
always opposes the
movement of an object
I can explain why friction
is much lower in space
I can design and build a
parachute
I can explain how
spacecraft can be landed
safely on other planets
I can plan a journey for
human beings to Mars
How do you feel overall about your learning in this topic?
What are your next steps?
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Now that you have shared facts with everyone else in
the class complete the fact sheet below.
1. There are
planets that make up our solar system.
2. Many of the planets have natural satellites which we call
3. The planet nearest the sun is called
.
.
4. Mercury’s surface is covered in craters that were caused by
hitting the surface.
5. Venus is the
planet from the sun.
6. Venus is covered in thick atmosphere of sulphuric
7. The third planet from the
clouds.
is the Earth.
8. About 70% of the Earth’s surface is
9. The earth has one natural
.
which we call The Moon.
10. Between the Earth and Mars is a band of rocks called
.
11. Mars has
moons that were once asteroids.
12. The largest
in the solar system, Olympus Mons, is on Mars.
13.
is bigger than all the other planets put together.
14. One of Jupiter’s moons, Europa, might be covered in
.
15. Jupiter’s atmosphere contains a
known as the Great Red Spot.
16. Saturn has a huge system of
in orbit around the planet.
17. Of all the planets Saturn has the most
.
18. The seventh planet from the sun is called
the Roman god of the underworld.
and is named after
19. Neptune was not discovered until the
century.
20. Pluto is not a true planet and is nowadays described as a
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planet.
Use the bathroom scales to find your mass. What is it on Earth? Does it
change on other planets? In films or the news, why do you see astronauts
floating about in space? Lets try and find out, listed below are questions
you should try to work out the answers for.
When you are on a spaceship in outer space does your mass change?
What does change?
Write down the difference between mass and weight.
What are the units for mass?
What are the units for weight?
What apart from your mass affects your weight?
What will happen to your weight as you travel from the Earth to Mars?
At what point on your journey will you be lightest?
At what point will you be heaviest?
What happens to your mass during your journey?
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When you make your journey to Mars you will be away for more than two
years (it takes that long to go and come back). How will you stay in
touch?
Try to find out how messages are sent from spacecraft back to Earth
from other planets and how long it takes each message to travel.
Record your findings.
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In your work last year you will have found out what human beings need in
order to survive.
Write down a list of things that living things need in their environment to
make life possible.
Try to find out if there is anywhere else in the solar system that has the
correct conditions for any type of plant or animal to live. Write your
findings below.
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Friction is a force. Rub your finger on the desk.
What happens?
Can you explain your answer?
Is there an energy change, explain your answer?
Any object that is moving has friction acting on it and this slows the
object down. This about how you can test this theory out?
Labelled Diagram
Results:
Give one example and describe how friction is reduced in this case.
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In this design challenge you will be asked to design a parachute that will
allow a delicate load to be dropped from the school balcony to the social
space without damaging it.
Think about the features of a parachute. How can you design and make
one that will float down slowly?
List resources used:
Labelled Diagram
Results:
Conclusion:
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When your spacecraft is moving between the Earth and Mars its motors
will be off nearly the whole time.
Find out why the spacecraft will not slow down during its journey.
Write your findings below.
Why are moving objects much more efficient when they space than when
they are moving through the air in the Earth’s atmosphere?
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Once you get to Mars you will need to land on the planet’s surface. To do
this you will need to slow down.
Find out how spacecraft are slowed down when landing on other planets.
Record your findings.
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You will now put together a proposal for a journey to Mars.
Make a booklet setting out your ideas.
You will be marked on planning, scientific content and presentation skills
including labelled diagrams. Ensure your proposal demonstrates your learning in
this topic. Remember to reference any research. You will only be given a limited
time in class so work out what you can do at home and allocate your tasks
appropriately.
You will be asked to complete a self evaluation after this task.
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