Collision Course is a KS4
investigation into kinetic and potential
energy, based on a real-life context.
If a large asteroid hit the Earth,
could it cause a global catastrophe?
In this unit, on a table-top scale,
pupils simulate what an impact would
be like. They can investigate how
the energy of their 'asteroid' affects
the distance the debris travels and
the size of the 'crater'. The unit
is a newly adapted version of a popular
brief from the Pupil Researcher Initiative.
Context-setting sheet to introduce
the activity.
Investigation planning sheet.
Extension activities sheet.
Teacher and Technician Notes.
Collision Course is an easy
to use investigation, which can:
Reinforce and apply the concepts
of kinetic and potential energy
and teach the formulae for them.
Address the full range of investigative
skills e.g. P (making predictions,
controlling variables), O (taking
sufficient measurements, judging
uncertainty), C (drawing conclusions)
and E (considering reliability and
validity of evidence).
Develop numeracy skills, through
practice in doing calculations.
