ENGAGEMENT
Students will look at distant objects through magnifying glasses, creating a simple telescope. This activity will help students understand how a refracting telescope works.
MATERIALS: 2 magnifying glasses or 2 convex lenses
PROCEDURE:
Students will look at distant objects through one of the lens provided move the lens back and forth slowly. Stop when the object appears clearly through the lens. Without moving the first lens, hold the second lens close to your eyes. Move the second lens back and forth slowly. Stop when you can see the distant object clearly through both lenses.
DISCUSSION
At the end of the observation, students should discuss the function of each lens and how the image appear through each lens.
ACTIVITY #2
There are two types of eclipses: Solar and Lunar. A Solar eclipse happens when the Sun, as seen from Earth is covered up by the Moon. A Lunar eclipse is when the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow.
Have students create a model to show :
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a) Solar Eclipse
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b) Lunar /Eclipse
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Approximate time : 2 class periods
OBJECTIVE: Students will observe and describe what happens during a solar and lunar eclipse.
MATERIALS:
A bright lamp to represent the Sun
A globe to represent the Earth
A baseball to represent the Moon
HOW TO CREATE A SOLAR ECLIPSE
PROCEDURE
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1. Place lamp on a smooth surface e.g. (table top) at eye level and turn lamp on. Turn off all other lights in the classroom.
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2. Set the globe on the table to receive maximum light from the lamp, representing the Sun.
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3. Hold the baseball, representing the Moon between the lamp and the globe so that the moon's shadow falls on the Earth.
Explain to students that if they were standing on the part of the globe where the shadow falls, they would not be able to see the Sun as the Moon will be blocking the Sun.
HOW TO CREATE A LUNAR ECLIPSE
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Using the same materials as in the above activity, move the baseball representing the Moon behind the globe representing the Earth into the earth's shadow. Explain to students that if they were on the dark side of the globe, they would see the moon becomes very dark as it passes into the Earth's shadow. Also point out that everyone who lives on the side of the Earth facing the Moon can see the moon in eclipse. But during an eclipse of the Sun, only the people inside the shadow see the Sun being eclipsed.