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!You can do this practical exercise with adult supervision

Pages

1Where is Mars?2How long will it take to get to Mars?3Getting to Mars4How do rockets get off the ground?5Producing Thrust6What happens when rocket fuel burns?7Your mission to Mars!8Our need for oxygen9How oxygen gets to our cells10The effects of gravity11How low gravity affects bones12Preventing bones and muscles from becoming weak13Living and working in space14What do astronomers know about Mars?15A space-craft view of Mars16Exploring Mars17Energy for exploration18The rocky surface of Mars19More about the surface of Mars20The Martian atmosphere21The importance of water22The water cycle on Earth23Is there water on Mars?24Surviving on Mars25Your Martian home26Farming on Mars27Soil on Mars28Plants for Mars29Getting energy on Mars30Where will you go next?

Practicals

1Modelling the solar system in the school yard2Rocket Practical3Investigate the Energy in Fuels4Making a Telescope5What factors affect the output of a solar cell?6Modelling Diffusion7Examining Slides of Blood8What bones are like without calcium salts9Flame Test to Identify Metals10The Different States of Water11Water Purification for Human Consumption12Factors Affecting Germination13Solar Cells for Devices14Mars Bingo
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Practical 4

Making a Telescope

We can make a simple telescope fairly easily using apparatus in the school laboratory. The most important parts of your telescope will be two convex (or converging) lenses: these are able to magnify images.

Apparatus and materials

For each student or group of students

Safety

These safety points mainly tell you about hazard. You will need to think about the risk(s) this might pose, and how you can minimize the risk.

Method

At one end of your metre ruler, fix the ‘weak’ convex using Plasticine or Blu-Tack. This is your ‘objective’ lens.

Practical Exercise Image
  1. Ensure that the room is darkened by turning off any lights, and closing blinds or curtains.
  2. Switch on bulb/lamp.
  3. Adjust the position of you ruler and lens so that you can look at the bulb/lamp through the lens. One member of the group could hold a piece of tracing paper on the ‘person’ side of the lens so that you can view an image of the lamp.
  4. You now need to add the second, ‘strong’ lens, which will do most of the magnification. This will be your ‘eyepiece’ lens and needs to be fixed at the other of the ruler near your eye (again, using Plasticine or Blu-Tack). Again, one member of the group could hold a piece of tracing paper behind this eyepiece lens so that you can view the image from the eyepiece lens and adjust its position until the image is in focus. Practical Exercise Image
  5. You now have both lenses in place, so your telescope has been made! You should now be able to see the bulb (and its filament if it has one) without the need for tracing paper. You will probably need to use just one eye. You can now use your telescope to view other objects: they will need to be placed in the same position as the bulb, and if possible they should be illuminated.