Page 9 - Kindergarten.indd

T E A C H E R N O T E S

AFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON COMETS - SC.5.E.5.3

PROBLEM STATEMENT:
How does temperature affect the lifespan of comets?

HYPOTHESIS: (predictions will vary)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

In this activity, students will combine dry ice with other ingredients to form a
comet. Comets are small celestial bodies that revolve around the Sun. A

comet is made up of ice, dust, and small rocks. Ice-filled comets are formed far
away from the Sun. When comets, during their orbit, come into close

proximity with the Sun, they lose mass as the ice melts and vaporize to form a

tail. The comet then loses its carbon dioxide gases through small holes that
eventually resemble craters. There are only 3,572 known comets.

VARIABLES:

Control Group Comet placed on a tray of ice

Independent Variable Comet placed near the heating lamp

Dependent Variable Time it takes the comet to melt
The same….
Constant (Controlled)
Variables Dry ice, amount of materials mixed into the dry
ice, heating source, etc…

DATA COLLECTION/OBSERVATIONS: (data collection will vary)

GRAPHS: (answers will be based on the data collected)

RESULTS: (answers will vary)

CONCLUSION: (answers will vary)

APPLICATION: (answers will vary)

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