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
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