The restless Earth
Runny lava or sticky lava?
Does a thicker liquid flow further, or build a steeper cone?
Watch first
An English teaching video on this topic from iNewittAll. Watch it, then scroll down for the lesson.
What you need
Tick each one as you find it — 0 of 7 ready.
Plan the fair test
- Change: How thick (viscous) the liquid is
- Measure: Time to reach the bottom and sideways spread in cm
- Keep the same: Slope angle, amount poured, pouring point, tray wiped clean between runs
Objectives this evidences
- Understand tectonic processes and hazards, including earthquakes and volcanic activity
Do it, one step at a time
Step 1 of 4
- Step 1. Prop one end of the tray on the book so it sits at a gentle, fixed slope.
- Step 2. Pour one tablespoon of water at the top and time how long it takes to reach the bottom. Measure how far it spread sideways.
- Step 3. Wipe the tray, then repeat with oil, then with syrup, using exactly one tablespoon each time.
- Step 4. Repeat each liquid twice more and work out the mean time and mean spread.
What should happen
Runny liquids travel fast and spread wide, like the basaltic lava that builds gently sloping shield volcanoes. Thick liquids barely move, like the sticky magma that builds steep composite cones and traps gas.
Think about: Trapped gas is what makes eruptions explosive. Which of your three liquids models the more dangerous volcano?
Write up your result
A sentence or two is enough to save it.
The lessons behind this practical
Each one opens with the same short film, and the film has a written transcript underneath if reading is easier than watching.
Now the quiz for this topic
Questions come from the lessons behind this practical, so nothing is asked that has not been taught.
Quiz
The restless Earth quiz
4 questions from the lessons in this stage. No timer, and you can try again as many times as you like.