Lab Science Name



Apparent Motion of the Stars Lab Name ____________________________

6th Grade PSI Science Score: ______________ / 5 points

Theory

Have you noticed that shadows change throughout the day? As the sun moves across the sky from east to west, the shadows move. Not only does the sun appear to move east to west, but, depending on the time of year, it also appears to move higher and lower in the sky.

This lab will have you look at the motion of the sun (as well as other stars) across the sky and the effect it has on objects here on Earth.

Materials

Flashlight

Darkened Room (Heavy curtains may be needed to cover the classroom windows)

Procedure

(Motion of Shadows)

1. Students will get in groups and obtain a flashlight

2. One student (STUDENT A) will stand still while another takes the flashlight

3. The student with the flashlight (STUDENT B) will face the other and will stand to the left. The flashlight should be pointed at the student that is standing still. The arrow below represents that flashlight beam:

[pic]

4. Observe the shadow that forms and answer question 1 in the Analysis portion of the lab.

5. STUDENT B will now walk to the opposite side, as shown in the diagram below, keeping the flashlight pointed at STUDENT A. Answer question 2 in Analysis.

[pic]

6. Repeat steps 2-5 so that each student can observe the motion of the shadows.

(Shadows Changing Shape)

7. Go back to the setup shown in Figure 1 above with STUDENT B standing to the left of STUDENT A.

8. Place a piece of tape where STUDENT B is starting. This will be Point 1

9. STUDENT B should hold the flashlight at chest-level facing STUDENT A. The group should observe the length of the shadow at this location.

10. Now, STUDENT B should stand directly in front of STUDENT A, still holding the flashlight at chest-height (See Figure 3 below).

[pic]

11. Finally, STUDENT B will move back to position shown in Figure 2 above.

12. Repeat steps 7-12, this time with STUDENT B holding the flashlight as high above his/her head as possible. Compare and contrast how long the shadows are when the flashlight location is changed.

Analysis

1. Where does the shadow fall when you are standing to the left of your partner?

2. Describe the motion of the shadow as you move to the right:

3. Why was STUDENT B required to hold the flashlight high above his/her head in the 2nd half of the lab?

Conclusions

4. Which flashlight location created the longest shadows?

5. If the flashlight were to be raised even higher (maybe to the height of a basketball rim), what do you predict would happen to the length of the shadows?

-----------------------

A

B

Figure 1

Figure 2

A

B

A

B

Figure 3

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