Study Craters in a Tub

Craters are formed when the surface of a planet or satellite is struck by a meteorite. The larger the size of the meteorite the bigger the crater. Here’s an interesting science experiment that reveals more about the nature of how craters are formed and how they can affect other craters.

For the small science experiment you will need a plastic tub which you can fill up with flour. Just pour it in and don’t press it down. It should stay loose and fluffy to form the craters well. Now collect some small objects such as rocks or marbles or balls. Just make sure that they have some weight so that they can form decent craters. About a glassful of cocoa power will also be needed.

Have a measuring tape ready to take readings of the lenght andwidth of each crater you will form.  And now we are ready to begin. Keep the tub on a newspaper so that you don’t make too much of a mess when the flour flies as you form each crater. Now fix a distance from the tub from which you will drop the objects into the tub full of flour.

As you drop in an object and a crater is formed gently pick up the object and measure your crater. Now sprinkle some cocoa powder into the crater before you drop the next one. Repeat the process with each crater you make. You will notice that the existing craters begin to change shape as the new ones are formed. What more do you observe? Make notes about this science project to reveal more about the nature of craters.