Lab Activity 5 - Earth Science

Science Laboratory Activity 5 – Lower 5th Grade Earth Science Wednesday, September 3rd Full Name: Date of Delivery: List of Materials • One apple.

• One plastic cup.

• One plastic ruler.

• 1 litre plastic bottle.

Procedure PART I: Using the apple as an Earth model.

1. Cut the apple in two equal halves. Observe the apple half carefully. Draw a picture of this piece of the apple. Show its layers.

2. A thin peel covers the outside of the apple. Use the ruler to measure the thickness of the peel. Record your measurement on your drawing.

3. The thick, white part that you eat is the middle of the apple. Measure the thickness of this layer. Record your measurement on your drawing.

4. Deep inside the apple is the core. Measure the core, starting at the centre of the apple. Record your measurement on your drawing.

5. Like the apple, Earth has three main layers. The crust is Earth’s outside layer.

The mantle is the thick, middle layer of Earth. Deep inside the Earth is the core.

6. Explain which parts of the apple are like the core, mantle, and crust of Earth.

APPLE

Measurement

Percentage

EARTH

Lab Practice – Wednesday September 3rd – Lower 5th Grade

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Answer: 1. What layer is the thinnest in the apple and the Earth?

2. Which of Earth’s is most like the apple peel? Explain your answer.

3. Compare the percentages or proportions in the parts of the apple and the Earth.

Lab Practice – Wednesday September 3rd – Lower 5th Grade

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PART II: Modelling an Earthquake.

7. Stick the post-it note to a table. Be sure that about 3 cm (1 in) of the short side of the post-it note is hanging over the edge of the table. Also make sure the post-it note is firmly stuck in place.

8. Fill the cup ¼ full with water. Place the cup on the centre part of the post-it note that is on the table.

9. Carefully and firmly pull the post-it note straight out from under the cup. The sticky part of the note will stop you from easily pulling it all the way out.

Observe and make a drawing of what happens to the water.

Answer: 1. How is snapping your fingers like the movement of the post-it note?

2. What did you observe about the water in the cup when you pulled out the post-it note?

3. Scientists often infer things based on their observations. What can you infer might happen when plates are moving past one another if the pressure between the plates is suddenly changed?

Lab Practice – Wednesday September 3rd – Lower 5th Grade

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