SHOOT FOR THE MOON
Purpose: To find out if the meteor caused the moon to fall unto a new orbit, learn how to use the Internet for gathering information, and share data across the country.
Procedures:
1. find the Shoot For The Moon Home page at
moon.html
or
moon.html
2. Click on the US Census Gazetteer link (#3 on page). Determine the latitude and longitude for your location. Use your zip code only for best results. North/South is latitude and East/West is longitude. Write down the latitude and longitude for San Jose shown on the screen
3. Click the back button until you get back to the Shoot For The Moon Home Page. Find the Input Data Form and input your class's average data for each date. For School, type in your period, one name from group, and IHS. When all information is typed in, click on the submit button.
4. Check for posted data. Write down the data for two different locations. Make sure you have data for San Jose on those dates!
5. Read how to use posted data. Determine the distance between San Jose and location one. Repeat for the distance between San Jose and location two. Use the distance to the moon formula to calculate the distance to the moon twice, once for each location.(hint: q = q 1 - q 2 and if r = distance to the moon and d = distance between California and other location, then r = d/(tanq ))
6. Go to the How Far Is It? web site.
7. Check your baseline distance by typing in the longitude an latitude for IHS and one of the other schools. Print out a map to show locations. Calculate your percent relative error. Repeat for second location
8. Use any search engine to find the actual distance, radius of orbit, and period of the moon. Record the site address as well as the data. Calculate your percent relative error for the distance to the moon.
Data: Include angles, dates, and school names for all school locations used.
Calculations: Include 5-step method calculates for distance between sites, and distance to the moon. Include sample calculation for % relative error.
Questions:
1. Assuming the period of the moon is still 28 days, calculate the
speed and force exerted on the moon now.
2. Compare the r, v, and F of the moon before and after impact. Name 3 effects this might have on earth.
3. Use your week's worth of data to determine T for the moon. (i.e. if it was moving and average 5 degrees a day, how long will it take to move 360 degrees?) Calculate R for the moon using this T and k = 3 x 10-19 s2/m3 and Kepler's third law. What is the percent relative error of this calculation?
Standard Lab Report Required.