A WebQuest Created by:
Lon L. Eilders, II
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teachers | Credits/References
In the picture above, a black hole pulls matter off of a nearby star. This matter barrels to the center of the black hole where it is never seen again. What are the properties of a black hole? How do they form? Why are they invisible?
Write a magazine article explaining the amazement and awe surrounding black holes.
The student will use the following three web sites to do research on black holes:
The student will write a magazine article, with the intended audience to be the general public, on black holes. The article should explain black holes in layman's terms without losing the essence of the science behind them.
General topics to be be included in the article:
What is a black hole?
What is the event horizon?
What is the singularity?
What is the cause of a black hole?
What may happen at the center of a black hole?
How are black holes related to the Theory of General Relativity?
What do black holes do after they form?
What does it mean to say that "black holes have no hair"?
What is the lowest possible energy state of a black hole? How does this relate to the Second Law of Thermodynamics?
Are black holes invisible?
What are ways we can detect black holes?
You may need to consult a physics or astronomy book if any ideas are not clear to you.
Be as creative as you want in finishing this project.
Minimum length of three pages.
The following rubric will be used to evaluate the magazine article:
Rubric (Word Document)
Rubric (PDF File)
Magazine Article Rubric
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Content |
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Points
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Self
Assessment
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Teacher
Assessment |
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Answered the eleven questions |
Number answered out of 11 total
__________ |
X5 |
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|
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Considered audience in writing article |
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10 |
|
|
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Used Layman’s English |
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10 |
|
|
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Meet minimum length of three pages |
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10 |
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|
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Creativity |
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10 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
95 |
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We have only begun to chip away at the vast ice burg of understanding black holes. In the years to come, black holes will prove to be one of the most interesting phenomena in the universe. Who knows were our investigations will led us!
Grade Band: 9-12 Earth Science
Tennessee State Standards: 9-12 Earth Science
1.1 explore the theories of the origin of the universe and its vastness.
Purpose: To encourage students to learn about black holes through the exciting use of the Internet. To encourage the presentation of data through a magazine article.
Preceding and Ensuing Events of Instruction: The teacher should first show the IMAX movie Cosmic Voyage (36 minutes) which is available through slingshot. This should prompt student interest in the topics covered in this WebQuest. Ordering information at www.slingshotdvd.com
The teacher will need to procure physics and astronomy texts for reference.
This WebQuest can prompt future interest of students in the field of cosmology.
Learning Improvements: Students will be allowed to do independent research which should lead to a move away from extrinsic rewards to greater intrinsic rewards. Learning will be reinforced when the students assemble and evaluate the research they have done.
Improvements and Expansions: This WebQuest can be expanded by introducing the hierarchic of the universe.
Smithsonian Institution and Motorola Foundation. (1996). Cosmic Voyage [DVD] Burbank, CA: Slingshot DVD Corp.
University of Illinois. (1995). Anatomy of a black hole. Retrieved June 17, 2003, from http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/NumRel/BlackHoleAnat.html
University of Illinois. (1995). How can we see black holes? Retrieved June 17, 2003, from http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/NumRel/BlackHoleHowSee.html
University of Illinois. (1995). When a black hole forms. Retrieved June 17, 2003, from http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/NumRel/BlackHoleEvolution.html