
Motion of Jupiter's Moons
Topics Covered
- Law of Gravitation
- Newtonian Physics
Lesson Description
The students will understand the following concepts: Based on Kepler's 1st Law the motion of moons about a planet are ellipses. Their paths can be approximated as near circular to conceptually understand them and an analogy of a hammer being twirled by an athlete will be used to elucidate this. The force that keeps them in orbit is the gravitational force which acts between a moon and a planet. The students will understand the mathematical expression of Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. As fun facts the students will learn some of the names of the moons of Jupiter and about their different motions.
Central Question: What is the force that keeps the moons in their orbit about a planet?
Instructional Objective: The students will understand the following concepts: Based on Kepler's 1st Law the motion of moons about a planet are ellipses. Their paths can be approximated as near circular to conceptually understand them and an analogy of a hammer being twirled by an athlete will be used to elucidate this. The force that keeps them in orbit is the gravitational force which acts between a moon and a planet. The students will understand the mathematical expression of Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. As fun facts the students will learn some of the names of the moons of Jupiter and about their different motions.
Learning Outcomes
-
Learning Outcome #1: The students will understand Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, Centripetal Force and Kepler's 1st Law.
Prerequisites
-
Kinematics
-
Forces
Previous Versions
Topics Covered
- Law of Gravitation
- Newtonian Physics
Lesson Description
The students will understand the following concepts: Based on Kepler's 1st Law the motion of moons about a planet are ellipses. Their paths can be approximated as near circular to conceptually understand them and an analogy of a hammer being twirled by an athlete will be used to elucidate this. The force that keeps them in orbit is the gravitational force which acts between a moon and a planet. The students will understand the mathematical expression of Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. As fun facts the students will learn some of the names of the moons of Jupiter and about their different motions.
Central Question: What is the force that keeps the moons in their orbit about a planet?
Instructional Objective: The students will understand the following concepts: Based on Kepler's 1st Law the motion of moons about a planet are ellipses. Their paths can be approximated as near circular to conceptually understand them and an analogy of a hammer being twirled by an athlete will be used to elucidate this. The force that keeps them in orbit is the gravitational force which acts between a moon and a planet. The students will understand the mathematical expression of Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. As fun facts the students will learn some of the names of the moons of Jupiter and about their different motions.
Learning Outcomes
-
Learning Outcome #1: The students will understand Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, Centripetal Force and Kepler's 1st Law.
Prerequisites
-
Kinematics
-
Forces