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Astronomy

Lab: Ice under pressure

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Astronomy Lab Instructions

Ice Under Pressure

Goal: To observe changes in the structure of ice when pressure is exerted.

Materials and procedure:

Perform the Ice Pressure experiment as described at Cool Experiments. Use different masses in the gallon jug and determine the rate of pressure deformation. Change the ice by adding (a) alcohol, (b) salt, (c) sugar, (d) use mineral water. How does the composition of the ice determine its deformation properties?

Write a report of all your observations and post it to the Moodle assignment for this lab. Be sure to include

  1. A list of the materials you actually used.
  2. A brief description of your procedure, with notes on any major changes you made to the suggested procedure at the Cool Experiments site..
  3. The standard basic data you collected as part of your procedures.
  4. Conclusions on ice behavior and its possible application to planets, dwarf planets, comets, and asteroids.
  5. Any observations you think interesting or important.