Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Orbital Motion

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars use a formula to measure the eccentricity of an ellipse, then state Kepler's Law of Elliptical Orbits. They predict the solar energy received at different positions in a planet's orbit.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Orbits Worksheet #1

For Students 4th - 8th
A diagram of Earth's path around the sun, including the position of the moon, is displayed at the top of the worksheet. Five multiple questions get astronomers to analyze the diagram considering what is going on in the solar system. Use...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Bellwork for Week 19-Electromagnetic Spectrum and Planets

For Students 8th - 10th
In this bellwork on the electromagnetic spectrum and planets learning exercise, learners answer questions about the information determined using a spectroscope, the geocentric and heliocentric models of planet rotation and the planets.
Website
Purple Math

Purplemath: Conics: Ellipses: Introduction

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Introduces the basic terms, variables, and equations for ellipses, and discusses their physical properties.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Ellipse

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson is designed for an Algebra II through Pre-Calculus classes and introduces the conic section- an ellipse. In this lesson students explore an ellipse, the set of points in a plane such that the sum of the distances from each...
Handout
Other

Platonic Realms: Function

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Resource provides an introduction to conics. A picture of each conic, the definition, and a brief discussion about the standard form of conic equations are given, along with encouragement to master conics.
eBook
NASA

Nasa: Kepler and His Laws

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from NASA provides biographical details about the lives of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler. Discusses Kepler's successes at developing laws of planeatry motion. States the three laws and discusses each one individually....
Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Kepler's Laws

For Students 9th - 10th
An outstanding page describing Kepler's three laws of planetary motion.
eBook
NASA

Nasa: Kepler's Second Law

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from NASA states Kepler's second law of planetary motion and depicts its meaning with an informative diagram. Relates the law to conservation of energy principles and discusses the eccentricity of a satellite's (or a planet's)...
Lesson Plan
Other

Sandburg Center for Sky Awareness: What Are the Shapes of the Planets' Orbits?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this lesson plan investigation pupils learn about the shapes of the planetary orbits by experimenting with ellipses of different proportions.
eBook
Cornell University

Cornell University: Astronomy: Orbital Motion and Kepler's Laws

For Students 9th - 10th
At this site from the Astronomy Department of Cornell University, Kepler's three laws of planetary motion are stated. There are brief explanations of each, along with links to additional information on related subjects.
Handout
Other

Platonic Realms: Conics

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This resource provides in depth information on the conic sections. Click on the underlined words for definitions and diagrams.
Activity
Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors: Hotmath: Practice Problems: Conic Sections

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Hotmath provides 26 practice problems relating to conic sections. Each of the practice problems include a step-by-step guide for solving their conic.