CUPCAKE GEOLOGY- SIMULATING CORE SAMPLE DRILLINGBackground:
Geologists take core samples of the earth to find out what is beneath the
surface. By examining the soil profiles, geologists can interpret what a cross
section probably looks like based on the information obtained from the samples.
Sampling is an important method used to gather data.
Question:
How can soil profiles be used to show the interior of the earth?
Materials:
Cupcakes, paper plates, clear plastic straws, plastic knives
Procedure:
- Inspect your cupcake. Do not touch, peel, or eat! Draw a picture of the
outside of the cupcake. - Draw a cross section of what you think the interior of the cupcake looks like.
- Using the straw, collect 5 core samples from different locations on top of your
cupcake. Remove each sample from the straw by placing a finger and thumb
above the sample, squeeze the straw, and then pull down. The sample will
easily come out. Place the samples side by side on the plate and number them
one through five.
Gather data:
Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 Sample 5