Gravity and Orbits
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Topics
- Gravitational Force
- Astronomy
- Circular Motion
Description
Move the sun, earth, moon and space station to see how it affects their gravitational forces and orbital paths. Visualize the sizes and distances between different heavenly bodies, and turn off gravity to see what would happen without it!
Sample Learning Goals
- Describe the relationship between the Sun, Earth, Moon and space station, including orbits and positions
- Describe the size and distance between the Sun, Earth, Moon and space station
- Explain how gravity controls the motion of our solar system
- Identify the variables that affect the strength of gravity
- Predict how motion would change if gravity was stronger or weaker
Version 2.04
Keywords
Teacher Tips
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Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Teacher-Submitted Activities
Title |
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Authors | Level | Type | Subject |
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Concept questions for Physics using PhET (Inquiry Based) |
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Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
MC | Physics |
Gravity and Orbits-Vector Concept |
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Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro HS MS |
MC | Physics Astronomy Earth Science |
Gravity and Orbits |
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Emily Moore, Kathy Perkins, Christine Denison, Trish Loeblein | MS K-5 |
Lab | Earth Science Astronomy Physics |
Solar System NGSS aligned |
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Debbie Brown | MS | Lab | Earth Science | |
Gravity and Orbits Lesson |
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UTeach Middle School PhET Team | MS | Lab | Earth Science | |
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS |
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Trish Loeblein | HS | Other | Earth Science Biology Physics Chemistry |
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How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? |
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Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | Biology Physics Earth Science Chemistry |
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Mapping of PhET and IBDP Physics | Jaya Ramchandani | HS | Other | Physics | ||
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | HS MS |
Other | Biology Physics Chemistry |
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PhET Simulations Aligned for AP Physics C | Roberta Tanner | HS | Other | Physics | ||
Gravitação | Paulo Gouveia | HS MS |
HW Lab Discuss |
Astronomy Physics Earth Science Mathematics |
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h | Bobby Fine | HS | Lab | Physics | ||
Gravity, Orbits and Kepler's Laws | Rhoda Berenson | UG-Intro | Lab | |||
Inquiry to Gravity | Brian Underwood | HS | Lab | Physics | ||
Gravity and Orbits Student Guide | Joel Barthel | HS | Lab | Physics | ||
Gravity Assist | Ahmad Abdelhadi | UG-Intro | Demo | Physics Astronomy |
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[tradução] Gravidade, Orbitais e leis de Kepler | Amanda Santos | HS | Guided | Astronomy Physics |
Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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