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Ellipses and Kepler's First Law
The class examines graphs in the form r = F(¿¿) in polar coordinates (r, ¿¿), in particular with the circle, ellipse and other conic sections. They determine the nature of an ellipse by studying the role of the semimajor axis and...
Voyage Solar System
Round and Round We Go — Exploring Orbits in the Solar System
Math and science come together in this cross-curricular astronomy lesson plan on planetary motion. Starting off with a hands-on activity that engages the class in exploring the geometry of circles and ellipses, this lesson...
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Finding Mass in the Cosmos
In this finding mass in the cosmos instructional activity, students use the equations for the force of gravity, the centrifugal force pushing a planet outwards and the speed of a planet to solve 2 problems. They find the mass of primary...
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Earth's Orbit Lesson
Tenth graders devise a computational model to explore how the orbit of the Earth might change if its velocity were different. Using accurately recorded data, 10th graders defend a scientific argument.
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The Mass of the Moon
In this mass of the Moon worksheet, students use the lunar orbit and the orbit period to determine the mass of the Moon. They solve 4 problems including finding the mass of the Moon, determining the ratio of the Moon's mass to the...
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Gravity - The Glue of the Universe
Learners explore physics by conducting a class experiment. In this gravitational force lesson plan, students define several scientific terms associated with force. Learners utilize a styrofoam cup and marbles to simulate a satellite...
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Lesson-Mass and Weight
Student identify the three stationary positions, on the Earth, on the Moon, and in a house floating atop the cloud layers of Jupiter. They also identify the three orbiting positions, orbiting the Earth, orbiting the Moon, and orbiting...
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Weight No More
Students relate the concept of gravity to math. In this algebra lesson, students define scientific terminology relative to gravity, weight and centripetal force. They measure the different dimensions of a cylinder as they discuss...
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NUMB3RS Activity: Implicit Orbits
In this algebra learning exercise, students solve word problems using algebraic equations and implicit differentiation. There are 16 problems dealing implicit differentiation.
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Plasmasphere
In this plasmasphere worksheet, students determine how long the plasmasphere takes to rotate around the Earth using two satellite images taken three hours apart.
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Volcanoes are a Blast-Working with Simple Equations
In this projectile motion worksheet, high schoolers solve 3 problems and an inquiry problem using three equations that describe projectile motion. One equation is for the maximum velocity to reach a height, H, the other is the maximum...
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Interstellar Real Estate - Defining The Habitable Zone
Students explore the orbital characteristics a planetary home needs to support Earth-like life forms. They develop an understanding of critical planetary mass to determine which newly discovered planets might be capable of supporting life.
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Black Holes....II
In this black hole worksheet, students use the equation for time dilation to solve 8 problems including determining the time it takes to receive a GPS signal from space, the time delay for the GPS-Earth system, the distance a radio...
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Tidal Forces-Let'er Rip!
For this tidal forces worksheet, students read about the gravitational pull from the moon that causes the ocean tides. Students solve 3 problems including finding the Roche or the tidal radius for the Earth and Moon, comparing the Roche...
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Ellipses And Kepler's First Law
Students explain that planets actually orbit the center of gravity of the solar system, and that distant planets may be detected by motions of their central star around the centers of gravity of their planetary systems.
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Action-Reaction! Rocket
Students construct a rocket from a balloon propelled along a guide string. They use this model to learn about Newton's three laws of motion, examining the effect of different forces on the motion of the rocket. They measure the distance...
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Magnetic Forces and Particle Motion
In this magnetic forces and particle motion worksheet, students use the equation for the radius of a spiral to answer 3 questions about charged particle motion.
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Space: Our Star, the Sun, and Its Friends, the Planets
Young scholars examine the solar system. In this space lesson, students identify the order of the planets and their relative size to the sun. Young scholars create a scale model of our solar system using a variety of household objects.
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Black Holes...V
In this black hole worksheet, students read about the black hole in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy called Sagittarius A and observe a Chandra image of the area where the black hole exists. Students solve two problems which include...
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Exploring the Ares 1-X Launch-Downrange Distance
In this Ares 1-X launch worksheet, high schoolers read about the path of this rocket's launch and solve 2 problems. Students find the number of seconds it took the rocket to fall from a given altitude and they determine how far from the...
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Kepler's Second Law
Students gain an understanding of Kepler's 2nd law--that planets (and satellites) move fastest at their closest approach to the center of attraction, and slow down when far away. They explore the concepts of "potential energy" and...