| Physics |
Lesson
14: Journey to the centre of the
Earth |
| Curriculum
Key: |
OCRB
P1h |
(plus
Additional Science specifications) |
Objective(s)
1.
The Earth has a layered structure
and an iron core
2. There are two types of seismic
waves (S and P).
3. The behaviour of seismic waves
leads to theories about the Earth’s
structure.
|
Resources
needed
PowerPoint
for starter
Laminated cards for Main Activity
1
PowerPoint and fact sheet for
Main Activity 2
Graph activity for plenary. |
Starter:
10
minutes
Use PowerPoint of ideas about
the ‘hollow earth’ to stimulate
interest in the structure of the
Earth. |
Teacher
input/assessment
Teacher
prompts to aid discussions about
the basis and feasibility of such
models. |
Main
Activity 1: 15
minutes
Students
use fact cards to reach a conclusion
about one part of the structure
(iron core). They should be encouraged
to order them logically to support
their conclusion.
Use mini-whiteboards to share
conclusions with whole group. |
Teacher
input / assessment
Facts
should empower students to come
to the conclusion that there is
iron in the Earth. Guide them! |
Main
Activity 2: 20
minutes
PowerPoint
slides introduce facts about seismic
waves, which gradually give more
clues about the Earth’s structure.
Pupil sheet summarises facts;
students select relevant information
to reach a conclusion about the
layered structure. In groups,
students present their theory
of the Earth’s structure. More
able groups should be encouraged
to state the evidence that led
them to their conclusion. |
Teacher
input / assessment
With
less able students, teacher may
assist to develop links between
facts and what can be inferred
from them. |
Plenary:
15
minutes
Graph
activity; students use structured
questions to interpret graph of
velocity versus depth. |
Teacher
input / assessment
Teacher
could introduce graph as a PowerPoint
slide if it is felt that features
need highlighting or explaining. |
Learning
Outcomes:
All
students must: be
able to label a diagram showing
our present knowledge of the Earths
structure.
Most
students should: state
the evidence that has led to this
model.
Some
students could: link
specific evidence to argue each
step of the model and discard
irrelevant evidence. |
Key
Skills:
defend conclusions with relevant
supporting evidence.
Key
words: crust,
mantle, outer/inner core, seismic
waves, P & S waves.
Homework:
Research
about cause of earthquakes. |
Differentiation:
More
able: Will
appreciate the differences between
P & S waves and also grasp
the relationship between velocity
and depth of wave.
Less
able: Will
realise that the Earth is not
hollow and know that waves of
different types help scientists
analyse the centre of the Earth. |
