![A close-up image of the Moon's surface, which fades from smooth gray at the left, to craggy craters and black shadow at the right.](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image3_lunarhighlands.png?w=1024)
Audience
Educators
Grade Levels
Grades K-4, Grades 5-8, Grades 9-12
Subject
Earth Science, Space Science, Geology, Solar System and Planets, Earth's Moon
Type
Lesson Plans / Activities
When planets begin to melt, the materials in them begin to separate from one another. The heaviest materials, such as metallic iron, sink to form cores. Low-density magmas rise, forming crusts. This process is called differentiation. In this activity, students will simulate differentiation using pennies, sand, water and toothpicks.
Differentiation Activity [74KB PDF file]
This activity is part of the Exploring the Moon Educator Guide.