Solar System Simulation Lab Report
Physics Name _______________________
Phet Solar System Simulation Lab Date ________ per _____ grp ____
Simulation open phet.colorado.edu , play with sims , Physics, Motion , My solar System , Run Now
1. Start What shape is the orbit of the planet ? ________________________________________________ Why does the “sun” wobble ? _____________________________________________________________ What is this principle called in Physics (Chap 6) ______________________________________________
2. Stop Reset Complete the table at the right The SUN is body ___ , the Planet is body ___
Which variable is the planet’s initial radius? ___________
Which variable is the planet’s initial velocity? ___________
3. Change the mass of the planet to 5 Start Explain what is different …show more content…
_____________________________
4. Stop Reset Change planet mass to 2 Start Does the mass of the planet affects it’s own orbit? ________
5. Stop Reset Still with planet mass 2 change velocity and describe each orbit shape in the table
6.
Exploring Universal Gravitation The program was developed in Elbonia which is not on the metric system but it does follow Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation - G comes out a little different.
*a. Write the equation for universal gravitation for a planet mass mp orbiting a sun ms at dist r
*b. Write the circular motion equation for the planet
*c. Combine 1,2 and cancel to make an expression for G
d. Use your values from Step 5 above for a PERFECT Circle to solve for G in this simulation.
7a) Stop Reset Click Number of bodies 3 to add a planet
WE will put planet 2 at TWICE the radius of planet 1 EDIT to match the first 3 lines in the table.
This time describe the orbit of planet 2 (body 3) as TOO FAST or TOO SLOW for a perfect circle
7b) Find the exact velocity for a perfectly circular orbit use measuring tape !!
7c) The outer planet is going at ( faster ) (slower) velocity = ( faster ) (slower) tangential speed
7d) Find how many times the planet 1 orbits for just one orbit of planet 2 ________________ Planet 2 has a __________ __________ year
* 7e) Rearrange your equation 6c to solve for
v v2 = v =
7f) Solve this for radius r = 284 Compare the calculated value with your data table ____________________________________
7g) Calculate the ratio vel body3/ vel body2 for circular obits = ___________ = When the radius is doubled the velocity for circular orbit is approx. ( 1/2) (same) ( 1/sqrt2)
8. Find select preset and pull down to Sun Planet moon Start Draw the sun and one complete orbit of each
9a) Find select preset and pull down to Sun Planet comet Start Draw the sun and one complete orbit of each
9b) Observe the comet
Where is it moving fastest? ______________________
Slowest ____________________________________
Where does the comet have greatest PE ? _________________________________________
10. Research Our Solar System to see how it follows the same pattern The unit A.U is convenient 1 A.U = earths orbital radius Complete the table INCLUDING THE BLANKS - EVERY ROW IS A PLANET !! list the sites you use -- ( try "stardate" or "nineplanets")
Phet Solar System Simulation Lab Date ________ per _____ grp ____
Simulation open phet.colorado.edu , play with sims , Physics, Motion , My solar System , Run Now
1. Start What shape is the orbit of the planet ? ________________________________________________ Why does the “sun” wobble ? _____________________________________________________________ What is this principle called in Physics (Chap 6) ______________________________________________
2. Stop Reset Complete the table at the right The SUN is body ___ , the Planet is body ___
Which variable is the planet’s initial radius? ___________
Which variable is the planet’s initial velocity? ___________
3. Change the mass of the planet to 5 Start Explain what is different …show more content…
_____________________________
4. Stop Reset Change planet mass to 2 Start Does the mass of the planet affects it’s own orbit? ________
5. Stop Reset Still with planet mass 2 change velocity and describe each orbit shape in the table
6.
Exploring Universal Gravitation The program was developed in Elbonia which is not on the metric system but it does follow Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation - G comes out a little different.
*a. Write the equation for universal gravitation for a planet mass mp orbiting a sun ms at dist r
*b. Write the circular motion equation for the planet
*c. Combine 1,2 and cancel to make an expression for G
d. Use your values from Step 5 above for a PERFECT Circle to solve for G in this simulation.
7a) Stop Reset Click Number of bodies 3 to add a planet
WE will put planet 2 at TWICE the radius of planet 1 EDIT to match the first 3 lines in the table.
This time describe the orbit of planet 2 (body 3) as TOO FAST or TOO SLOW for a perfect circle
7b) Find the exact velocity for a perfectly circular orbit use measuring tape !!
7c) The outer planet is going at ( faster ) (slower) velocity = ( faster ) (slower) tangential speed
7d) Find how many times the planet 1 orbits for just one orbit of planet 2 ________________ Planet 2 has a __________ __________ year
* 7e) Rearrange your equation 6c to solve for
v v2 = v =
7f) Solve this for radius r = 284 Compare the calculated value with your data table ____________________________________
7g) Calculate the ratio vel body3/ vel body2 for circular obits = ___________ = When the radius is doubled the velocity for circular orbit is approx. ( 1/2) (same) ( 1/sqrt2)
8. Find select preset and pull down to Sun Planet moon Start Draw the sun and one complete orbit of each
9a) Find select preset and pull down to Sun Planet comet Start Draw the sun and one complete orbit of each
9b) Observe the comet
Where is it moving fastest? ______________________
Slowest ____________________________________
Where does the comet have greatest PE ? _________________________________________
10. Research Our Solar System to see how it follows the same pattern The unit A.U is convenient 1 A.U = earths orbital radius Complete the table INCLUDING THE BLANKS - EVERY ROW IS A PLANET !! list the sites you use -- ( try "stardate" or "nineplanets")