USING THE VIRTUAL MOLECULAR DYNAMICS LABORATORY COMPUTER SIMULATION

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USING THE VIRTUAL MOLECULAR DYNAMICS LABORATORY
COMPUTER SIMULATION
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Effects of Gravity On Distribution of
Atmospheric Gases

• Dr. Fran Hess
• Cooperstown High School
• Earth Science

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Intended Audience

• High School Earth Science
• High School Physical Science
• Upper Level Middle School
• Physical or Earth Science

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Placement in the Curriculum

• Atmosphere
• Earth Structure
• Meteorlogy
• Solar System
• Characteristics of Planets

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Prior Knowledge

• Atmospheric Composition - Gases Properties
• Gravity
• Affect of Temperature on Density of Gases.
• Astronomy or Space - Properties of Planets in
  Solar System, etc.

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Adjustment / Adaptation

• Depends on Your Unique Situation
• Best to KEEP IT SUPER SIMPLE
• Can always build up from there.

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G O A L S
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To provide students with an opportunity to
develop a better understanding of the role
gravity plays on the distribution of gases in
Earths atmosphere.
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To expose students to the application of a
computer simulation scientific research tool.
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To provide students the option to engage in a
manipulative simulated research project.
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To provide students with the opportunity to apply
learned information to a new and novel, yet
possible, situation within the students world.
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Objectives

• Through this activity students will
• improve their ability to
• Describe how gravity affects the distribution
  of atmospheric gases based on amount of gravity
  and
• molecular mass of gas.

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Objectives

• Through this activity students will
• improve their ability to
• Compare affect of different gravity systems on
  the physical characteristic of possible
  atmospheric gases of different planets in our
  solar system.

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• Through this activity students will
  
• improve their ability to
• Evaluate the quality of their predictions.
• Justify decisions based on their data.
• Apply methods of sound scientific inquiry by
  devising a research project using simulation.
• Apply basic mathematical skills involved in
  graphing and interpreting data.

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NYS Standards

• 1 Analysis, Inquiry, and Design
• 2 Information Systems
• 4 Science
• 5 Technology
• 6 Interconnectedness
• 7 Interdisciplinary Problem Solving

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National Standards

• Content
• Atoms, Gravity, Interactions
• Scientific Inquiry
• Technology
• Student Learning
• Communication Skills
• Laboratory Experiences
• Interdisciplinary

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Time 5

• 1 Pd. Review/Refresh Pre- -Knowledge
• 1 Pd. Intro to Activity Simulation
• 2 Pds. Lab Activity
• 1 Pd. Post Lab Discussion Intro. Project
• Optional Project 1-2 Weeks

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Wet Labs Demos

• Variety on density labs
• Pressure vs Temperature
• Wave Generator
• Etc.

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Electronic Equipment

• At least one computer for each 2 - 4 students.

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Instructional Activity

• STUDENT LAB SHEET

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Instructional Activity

• INITIAL SCREEN

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Instructional Activity

• DATA GRAPH SHEET

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Instructional Activity

• STUDENT LAB SHEET

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Movie of Simulation
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SNAPSHOTS OF Experiment Gravity 0.05
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SNAPSHOTS OF Experiment Gravity 0.08
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SNAPSHOTS OF Experiment Gravity 0.00
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ANSWER SHEETKEY
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Assessment

• Scoring Rubric

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Resources

• Project

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Other Areas of Study in the Earth Sciences

• Radioactivity
• Differential Cooling of Earth Material
• Convection Currents
• Mineral Formation
• Cloud Formation
• Sedimentation
• Shape of Snow Crystals
• Metamorphic Transformation
• Bipolarity of Water Molecule
• Ocean Currents

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It has been fun. Please keep in touch.

• Fhess_at_stny.rr.com