Lesson Description

Use the pattern of sound to observe transits. Derive Kepler’s Third Law from the data collected within the solar system. Then apply Kepler’s Third Law to extrasolar systems and the search for exoplanets while collecting rare coins along the way.

Central Question: What is the relationship between a planet's distance and its orbital period?

Instructional Objective: Develop and use a model of the solar system to derive Kepler’s Third Law and apply the equation to search for exoplanets in orbit around their stars.

Learning Outcomes

• Learning Outcome #1: Use a sound diagram to identify patterns that indicate the period of a planet in the solar system.

• Learning Outcome #2: Determine the orbital distance of a planet needed to generate the pattern of sound in a given model.

Prerequisites

• Organization of the solar system

• Exponents

• Roots (square and cube)

• Solving multi-variable equations

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