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Title
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Mission 3 - Lesson 3: Lightning and Thunder
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Type
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Primary: Lesson Plan
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Operation
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Monster Storms
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Mission:
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Mission 3: The Chase
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Subjects
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Science
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Grades
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5 | 6 | 7 | 8
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Keywords
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lesson plan, teacher resources
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Duration
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00:00:00 (HH:MM:SS)
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Audience
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Teachers
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Created On
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9/5/2007
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From: Monster Storms Mission 3: The Chase |
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Mission 3 - Lesson 3: Lightning and Thunder Understand lightning and its association to monster weather. Understand the relationship between lightning and thunder. Estimate the distance to a thunderstorm, and to determine if a storm is approaching or receding. (Lab 2: Distance to a Thunderstorm) |
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Prepare |
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Time required: 60 minutes
- Obtain a classroom set of materials necessary for the lab as listed on page 55.
- Make sure all Internet connections are functional and access to the suggested URLs is not blocked by the local server.
- Secure paper, pencils, data sheets and access to timing devices that are needed for completing Lab 2.
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Motivate |
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- If available, demonstrate the operation of a Van de Graaff generator. Have students create associations between the observed sparks and lighting. Use critical thinking strategies to compare and contrast these events and connect them to observations during thunderstorms.
- You can demonstrate static discharge using a rubber balloon and a fluorescent bulb removed from its fixture. First, statically charge a rubber balloon. Then, lower the room illumination. When this charged balloon is brought in close proximity to the pins of the fluorescent tube, a spark will jump between the balloon and the tube’s metal pins. This electrical discharge causes an observable flash within the tube.
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Teach |
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Encourage students to discuss their personal experiences with thunderstorms.
Review the illustrations on page 54 using them to address the physical science of lightning formation.
Relate students’ experience in static electricity to the formation and discharge of lightning.
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View
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In this lab activity, students use a chart to determine the distance to a thunderstorm based on observations of thunder and lightning. |
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View
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To go with Mission 3, Lab 2. |
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Tim is doing research to determine how lightning forms. Based on the Mission Briefing you’ve been reading and the Connection article “Lightning: A Monster Transfer of Energy,” what data must Tim collect to help him solve this mystery? |
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Reflect And Assess |
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- Have students construct a model that illustrates lightning formation and discharge.
- With access to a desktop computer and simple animation software, challenge student groups to compile a basic animation that illustrates charge segregation and resultant lightning discharge within a cloud.
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Follow-up |
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- For homework, have students research the dangers of lightning and how to protect property and life from this monster discharge. Have students present what they learn in a class poster session.
- For an extension, with access to a desktop computer and associated software, challenge student groups to create a basic movie file that illustrates the sounds and flashes associated with a passing thunderstorm. For each lightning flash, the file should display the distance to the strike (as can be calculated by the time lag between the lightning flash and thunder boom).
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