2008 Thomas Gawarkiewicz

Outstanding Marine Science Project Falmouth High School Science Fair

My project was designed to test and determine density, velocity and mass affects
the size of a crater and its characteristics. To make the craters, I used
several balls and both threw them up in the air and also shot them into the
sand at a local beach with a slingshot. The balls varied in density, mass, and
velocity. Density was the only variable that had a distinct correlation with
the size of the impact craters, with the densest balls consistently making the
largest crater relative to their size. Mass had no consistent effect with
crater sizes varying greatly. Velocity did have an effect with the slowest
ball (a ping pong ball) making the smallest crater. This ball was also the
least dense so future work will be necessary to vary the velocity in the more
dense balls as well. The impact craters produced a lip higher than the
surrounding sand, similar to craters observed on the moon.

Last updated: March 4, 2010