5. varying impact angle

Use a one-metre long pvc tube or similar device to launch your projectile at different angles. Do not hold its lower end more than 5 cm above the surface.

Carefully measure the angle each time. Observe changes in crater shapes and number and length of ejecta rays. Think of a way to quantify the varying crater shapes (e.g. ratio between smallest and greatest diameter). Record your observations in a table and a graph.

6. varying surface medium

It’s now time to see what happens when you use some material other than flour to drop your model meteorite on. It is important that you find a way to compare the different results in a quantitative way (i.e. with numbers). Think about it and discuss it with your classmates.

A good way may be repeating some of the previous experiments with different surface materials. Compare the graphs.

Experiment with dry and wet sand. If you use wet plaster of Paris (sprinkled with powdered paint) you may let is harden. You can then hang your own meteorite crater on the wall of your room at home.

7. varying projectile composition

So far, you dropped projectiles that were harder than the surface. What happens when they are softer and disintegrate upon impact? Experiment with materials of a colour different from that of the surface material. You will then see how and how far the fragments of the projectile are scattered during impact.

You may use blobs of clay, wet plaster of Paris, wet sand, or even water drops. Find the best combination of projectile and surface materials.

Do you see any changes in the shape of the impact craters? Make photos and compare them with photos from craters on the Moon, Mars and other planets.