bad ass file
Name Chelsea Smith Gravitational Lab
Go HYPERLINK "http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=My_Solar_System" http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=My_Solar_System and click on Run Now.
I After the simulation loads click Start.
Describe what you see in this simple sun-planet system.In the simple sun-planet system, I see that the sun is also moving around.
Specifically, what happens to the central object (the Sun)?The sun is moving. It is moving because it is being pulled by the gravitational force that is between the sun and the planet.
Can you explain why the central object moves?
The central object moves because the sun is off to one side and the orbit is elliptical.
HINT: Is gravitational attraction only the sun pulling on the planet?
Does the planet orbit in a perfect circle? Is the sun at the center?
The sun is not in the center and the planet does not orbit in a perfect circle.
II Click Stop and then select 3 bodies. Then Start
Sketch a complete cycle (orbit)
Watch the ‘funny’ object closely
What is it doing? Describe and explain.The moon is orbiting the planet, that is orbiting the sun.
Could this be the Earth/Moon/Sun system? (Try un-checking Show Traces.)Yes, this could be the Earth/Moon/Sun system.
Is there anything you are uncomfortable with in the simulation? Explain.The only thing that seems to be uncomfortable with this situation is the fact that the planet doesn’t seem to move in response to the moon.
Can you explain the difference in the moon’s path when it is on the rightside of the Sun compared to on the left side? (Turn Traces back on.)The moon’s path is sharper and the left and more curved on the right. This is happening due to Kepler’s Law.
III Click Stop and then select 4 bodies. Then Start
Describe what is happening to the inner planet, why.The inner planet has changed its orbit. This happened because of the gravitational pull.
IV Click Stop and then select 2 bodies again.
Change the
Go HYPERLINK "http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=My_Solar_System" http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=My_Solar_System and click on Run Now.
I After the simulation loads click Start.
Describe what you see in this simple sun-planet system.In the simple sun-planet system, I see that the sun is also moving around.
Specifically, what happens to the central object (the Sun)?The sun is moving. It is moving because it is being pulled by the gravitational force that is between the sun and the planet.
Can you explain why the central object moves?
The central object moves because the sun is off to one side and the orbit is elliptical.
HINT: Is gravitational attraction only the sun pulling on the planet?
Does the planet orbit in a perfect circle? Is the sun at the center?
The sun is not in the center and the planet does not orbit in a perfect circle.
II Click Stop and then select 3 bodies. Then Start
Sketch a complete cycle (orbit)
Watch the ‘funny’ object closely
What is it doing? Describe and explain.The moon is orbiting the planet, that is orbiting the sun.
Could this be the Earth/Moon/Sun system? (Try un-checking Show Traces.)Yes, this could be the Earth/Moon/Sun system.
Is there anything you are uncomfortable with in the simulation? Explain.The only thing that seems to be uncomfortable with this situation is the fact that the planet doesn’t seem to move in response to the moon.
Can you explain the difference in the moon’s path when it is on the rightside of the Sun compared to on the left side? (Turn Traces back on.)The moon’s path is sharper and the left and more curved on the right. This is happening due to Kepler’s Law.
III Click Stop and then select 4 bodies. Then Start
Describe what is happening to the inner planet, why.The inner planet has changed its orbit. This happened because of the gravitational pull.
IV Click Stop and then select 2 bodies again.
Change the