Meteor on the moon

Meteor on the moon

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
This task is about how sound and light travel.

Question

Moon-view-PK.jpg
 
a)  Suppose a huge meteor crashed on to the visible part of the Moon's surface causing a massive explosion.
     What would an observer on Earth see and hear?

    • A bright flash and the loud noise of the explosion as it happened.

    • The flash of the impact followed a little later by the sound of the explosion.

    • The flash of the explosion, but no sound would be heard.

    • Nothing; the explosion would be neither seen nor heard.

b) Explain why the answer you chose is correct.
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Copyright: 
Moon-view-PK.jpg
Image: (c) J.Fisher, PhotoKete
All images copyright to PhotoKete are used with permission and can be freely used for educational purposes in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Physical World
Keywords: 
physics concepts, energy, sound, light
Description of task: 
Task: Answer a multiple choice questions about what would be seen on earth if a meteor hit the moon, and explain why that answer is correct. Assessment focus: how sound and light travel.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Use evidence
This resource provides opportunities to discuss using logical reasoning and developing science understandings to make inferences. 
Science capabilities: 
Use evidence
Answers/responses: 
   

Y10 (03/1998)
a) C - The flash of the explosion, but no sound would be heard. moderate
b) As sound will not travel through a vacuum you will not be able to hear the explosion, but you will be able to see it. very difficult
Diagnostic and formative information: 
  Common error
a) Option B (The flash of the impact followed a little later by the sound of the explosion) was chosen by 29% of the students.