GRAVITY AND ORBITS LAB
Unit Overview
In this unit you will be
using the PhET simulation, Gravity and Orbits to show how a satellite revolves
around the Earth. You will see how a satellite depends on distance from the
Earth as well as its tangential speed. These are concepts that you learned in
Unit 11 and will apply now, in unit 12 while you navigate through the
simulation.
The
simulation “Gravity and Orbits”
allows you to explore the relationship between force, mass and acceleration.
The simulation allows to select different objects (each with a different mass)
to which a horizontal force can be applied (by a fellow named Joe). Different
aspects of the objects motion can then be measured.
Download the
Activity sheet to your desktop and type in your answers.
Gravity and Orbits Activity
Sheet
A look
ahead...
In the next
unit we will be talking about different types of energy, how one form can be
converted to another, and we will also explore the relationship between energy
work and power. The main forms of energy in the next unit are potential and
kinetic energy. Throughout the rest of the course we will learn about different
types of energy such as light, sound and thermal energy.
Below are additional educational resources and activities for this unit.