CME Science: Measuring the Velocity of a Coronal Mass Ejection

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written by Rebecca E. Vieyra, Alice Flarend, and Ramon Lopez
edited by Caroline Hall

This lesson for high school physics blends kinematics and space science as students analyze authentic data from the NASA/ESA SOHO space observatory to determine the speed of a coronal mass ejection (CME). Learners will closely examine and measure coronagraph images of CME events to construct graphs of position vs. time and velocity vs. time. The lesson is designed to promote understanding of three key ideas: 1. Relationships between p-t and v-t graphs; 2. The laws of classical physics are consistent throughout the universe; and 3. Earth's sun is an ever-changing star that produces phenomena which can be observed, imaged, and accurately measured.

Note: This AAPT Lesson Plan is based on a Lecture Tutorial written for the NASA Space Science Education Consortium. See "Supplemental Document" below to download the original CME Speed Lecture Tutorial in its entirety.

Editor's Note: This lesson is most appropriate for the early phase of a unit on kinematics in a high school algebra-based physics course. It can be adapted for use in Physics First or Conceptual Physics courses by revising or simplifying the math calculations.

CME Science: Measuring the Velocity of a Coronal Mass Ejection
by NASA-HEAT Team

download 5363kb .pdf
Published: June 15, 2022
Rights: Public Domain.
previous versions

CME Science: Coronagraph Image Sets
by NASA SOHO
Printable coronagraph images of two CME events for use in data analysis.
download 1081kb .pdf
Published: April 30, 2006
Rights: Public Domain.

.docx

Student Worksheet: Measuring Velocity of a CME
by NASA-HEAT Team
Printable student-facing activity guide.
download 3606kb .docx
Published: August 4, 2022
Rights: Public Domain.
previous versions

.docx

Teacher's Guide: CME-Modifiable Word Version
by NASA-HEAT Team
Word version: Full Instructor's Guide without image sets
download 5613kb .docx
Published: June 15, 2022
Rights: Public Domain.
previous versions

1 supplemental document is available

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Astronomy - Instrumentation = Optical Astronomy - The Sun = Space Weather Classical Mechanics - Motion in One Dimension = Position & Displacement = Velocity Education Practices - Pedagogy = Multidisciplinary Other Sciences - Mathematics	- High School - Lower Undergraduate	- Instructional Material = Activity = Instructor Guide/Manual = Lesson/Lesson Plan = Problem/Problem Set = Student Guide - Reference Material = Article - Audio/Visual = Image/Image Set

Appropriate Courses	Categories	Ratings
- Conceptual Physics - Algebra-based Physics - AP Physics	- Lesson Plan - Activity - New teachers	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Intended Users:: Educator
Learner
Format:: application/pdf
Access Rights:: Available by subscription; Access available to members of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT).
Restriction:: © 2018 American Association of Physics Teachers
Keywords:: LASCO, coronagraph, plasma physics, position graph, space weather, spectrometry, velocity graph
Record Creator:: Metadata instance created October 8, 2018 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: August 13, 2022 by Caroline Hall
Last Update when Cataloged:: September 25, 2018

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Next Generation Science Standards

Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions (HS-PS2)

Students who demonstrate understanding can: (9-12)

Analyze data to support the claim that Newton's second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration. (HS-PS2-1)

Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)

Forces and Motion (PS2.A)

Newton's second law accurately predicts changes in the motion of macroscopic objects. (9-12)

The Universe and its Stars (ESS1.A)

The star called the sun is changing and will burn out over a lifespan of approximately 10 billion years. (9-12)

Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)

Patterns (K-12)

Patterns in rates of change and other numerical relationships can provide information about natural systems. (6-8)
Empirical evidence is needed to identify patterns. (9-12)

Scale, Proportion, and Quantity (3-12)

Algebraic thinking is used to examine scientific data and predict the effect of a change in one variable on another (e.g., linear growth vs. exponential growth). (9-12)

Stability and Change (2-12)

Change and rates of change can be quantified and modeled over very short or very long periods of time. Some system changes are irreversible. (9-12)

Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems (1-12)

Science assumes the universe is a vast single system in which basic laws are consistent. (9-12)

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)

Analyzing and Interpreting Data (K-12)

Analyzing data in 9–12 builds on K–8 and progresses to introducing more detailed statistical analysis, the comparison of data sets for consistency, and the use of models to generate and analyze data. (9-12)
- Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models (e.g., computational, mathematical) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution. (9-12)

Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking (5-12)

Mathematical and computational thinking at the 9–12 level builds on K–8 and progresses to using algebraic thinking and analysis, a range of linear and nonlinear functions including trigonometric functions, exponentials and logarithms, and computational tools for statistical analysis to analyze, represent, and model data. Simple computational simulations are created and used based on mathematical models of basic assumptions. (9-12)
- Use mathematical representations of phenomena to describe explanations. (9-12)

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics Alignments

High School — Functions (9-12)

Interpreting Functions (9-12)

F-IF.6 Calculate and interpret the average rate of change of a function (presented symbolically or as a table) over a specified interval. Estimate the rate of change from a graph.

Linear, Quadratic, and Exponential Models^? (9-12)

F-LE.1.b Recognize situations in which one quantity changes at a constant rate per unit interval relative to another.
F-LE.5 Interpret the parameters in a linear or exponential function in terms of a context.

Common Core State Reading Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects 6—12

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (6-12)

RST.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem.
RST.11-12.8 Evaluate the hypotheses, data, analysis, and conclusions in a science or technical text, verifying the data when possible and corroborating or challenging conclusions with other sources of information.

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R. Vieyra, A. Flarend, and R. Lopez, , 2018, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14744&DocID=4897).

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R. Vieyra, A. Flarend, and R. Lopez, CME Science: Measuring the Velocity of a Coronal Mass Ejection, 2018, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14744&DocID=4897>.

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Vieyra, R., Flarend, A., & Lopez, R. (2018). CME Science: Measuring the Velocity of a Coronal Mass Ejection. Retrieved October 6, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14744&DocID=4897

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Vieyra, R, A. Flarend, and R. Lopez. "CME Science: Measuring the Velocity of a Coronal Mass Ejection." Edited by Caroline Hall.. 2018. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14744&DocID=4897 (accessed 6 October 2024).

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Vieyra, Rebecca E., Alice Flarend, and Ramon Lopez. CME Science: Measuring the Velocity of a Coronal Mass Ejection. 2018. 6 Oct. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14744&DocID=4897>.

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@techreport{ Author = "Rebecca E. Vieyra and Alice Flarend and Ramon Lopez", Title = {CME Science: Measuring the Velocity of a Coronal Mass Ejection}, Month = {September}, Year = {2018} }

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%A Rebecca E. Vieyra %A Alice Flarend %A Ramon Lopez %T CME Science: Measuring the Velocity of a Coronal Mass Ejection %E Caroline Hall, (ed) %D September 25, 2018 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14744&DocID=4897 %O application/pdf

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%0 Report %A Vieyra, Rebecca E. %A Flarend, Alice %A Lopez, Ramon %D September 25, 2018 %T CME Science: Measuring the Velocity of a Coronal Mass Ejection %E Hall, Caroline %8 September 25, 2018 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14744&DocID=4897

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