Question 71
In this activity, you will make models to show how eclipses happen.
Work in groups of four or five.
You will need (per group): an electric lamp and power supply – 12 V lamps work well, a white soccer ball, a tennis ball, a paper cup, a light string or thread, adhesive tape.
Safety
Take care not to touch the lamp because it will be hot. Do not look directly at a bright lamp. Use only a lamp and do not use the Sun for any part of this activity.
You need to work in a shaded position in the room. You should turn the classroom lights off. If your classroom has blinds or curtains, these should be closed.
In your model:
• the electric lamp will be the Sun
• the white soccer ball will be the Earth
• the tennis ball will be the Moon.
1 Attach the string to the tennis ball with the adhesive tape.
2 Place the soccer ball on the plastic cup. This will lift the ball off the desk and also stop the ball from rolling.
3 Place the lamp about 50 cm from the soccer ball. Switch on the lamp.
4 One side of the soccer ball should be lit from the lamp. The other side of the soccer ball should be in the shade.
Hold the string so the tennis ball hangs down.
Move the tennis ball between the lamp and the soccer ball. The shadow of the tennis ball should be seen on the soccer ball.
What type of eclipse is the model showing?
Work in groups of four or five.
You will need (per group): an electric lamp and power supply – 12 V lamps work well, a white soccer ball, a tennis ball, a paper cup, a light string or thread, adhesive tape.
Safety
Take care not to touch the lamp because it will be hot. Do not look directly at a bright lamp. Use only a lamp and do not use the Sun for any part of this activity.
You need to work in a shaded position in the room. You should turn the classroom lights off. If your classroom has blinds or curtains, these should be closed.
In your model:
• the electric lamp will be the Sun
• the white soccer ball will be the Earth
• the tennis ball will be the Moon.
1 Attach the string to the tennis ball with the adhesive tape.
2 Place the soccer ball on the plastic cup. This will lift the ball off the desk and also stop the ball from rolling.
3 Place the lamp about 50 cm from the soccer ball. Switch on the lamp.
4 One side of the soccer ball should be lit from the lamp. The other side of the soccer ball should be in the shade.
Hold the string so the tennis ball hangs down.
Move the tennis ball between the lamp and the soccer ball. The shadow of the tennis ball should be seen on the soccer ball.
What type of eclipse is the model showing?
