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This simulation, recently rewritten to HTML5, provides a robust array of tools to help students visualize how gravity controls the motion of solar systems and how different variables affect the strength of gravity. Choose a system of star/planet, star/planet/moon, or planet/satellite, adjust the masses of star or planet, turn on velocity and gravity force vectors, and drag objects to relocate. What happens if gravity is turned off? What happens to the orbit if the star's mass is increased?
This resource is part of the PhET project, a growing collection of simulations and teacher-created support materials for secondary teachers and learners. Editor's Note: This resource can be adapted for Grades 7-12. High School physics teachers may wish to amp up the rigor by introducing the simulation in the context of Kepler's Laws. On the main page for "Gravity and Orbits", scroll to "Teacher-Submitted Activities" and click on "Kepler's Laws and Orbits".
Next Generation Science StandardsMotion and Stability: Forces and Interactions (MS-PS2)
Students who demonstrate understanding can: (6-8)
Earth's Place in the Universe (MS-ESS1)
Students who demonstrate understanding can: (6-8)
Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions (HS-PS2)
Students who demonstrate understanding can: (9-12)
Earth's Place in the Universe (HS-ESS1)
Students who demonstrate understanding can: (9-12)
Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)
Forces and Motion (PS2.A)
Types of Interactions (PS2.B)
The Universe and its Stars (ESS1.A)
Earth and the Solar System (ESS1.B)
Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)
Patterns (K-12)
Cause and Effect (K-12)
Scale, Proportion, and Quantity (3-12)
Systems and System Models (K-12)
Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems (1-12)
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions (K-12)
Developing and Using Models (K-12)
AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)4. The Physical Setting
4E. Energy Transformations
4F. Motion
11. Common Themes
11B. Models
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!
Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=14753">PhET. PhET Simulation: Gravity and Orbits. Boulder: PhET, August 15, 2017.</a>
AIP Format
(PhET, Boulder, 2017), WWW Document, (https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gravity-and-orbits).
AJP/PRST-PER
PhET Simulation: Gravity and Orbits (PhET, Boulder, 2017), <https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gravity-and-orbits>.
APA Format
PhET Simulation: Gravity and Orbits. (2017, August 15). Retrieved December 9, 2024, from PhET: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gravity-and-orbits
Chicago Format
PhET. PhET Simulation: Gravity and Orbits. Boulder: PhET, August 15, 2017. https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gravity-and-orbits (accessed 9 December 2024).
MLA Format
PhET Simulation: Gravity and Orbits. Boulder: PhET, 2017. 15 Aug. 2017. 9 Dec. 2024 <https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gravity-and-orbits>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{
Title = {PhET Simulation: Gravity and Orbits},
Publisher = {PhET},
Volume = {2024},
Number = {9 December 2024},
Month = {August 15, 2017},
Year = {2017}
}
Refer Export Format
%T PhET Simulation: Gravity and Orbits %D August 15, 2017 %I PhET %C Boulder %U https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gravity-and-orbits %O text/html
EndNote Export Format
%0 Electronic Source %D August 15, 2017 %T PhET Simulation: Gravity and Orbits %I PhET %V 2024 %N 9 December 2024 %8 August 15, 2017 %9 text/html %U https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gravity-and-orbits Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. |