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…
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
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…
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