Phet Lab Report: Orbits

Consider the Force Vectors attracting the Earth to the Sun. How would you describe the forces each exerts on the other? (Hint: Think about force-pairs and Newton’s Third Law)

Answer explanation

According to Newton's Third Law, the Earth and the Sun are force-pairs that exert equal and opposite forces on each other. The force the Sun exerts on the Earth is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force the Earth exerts on the Sun.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

According to the vector arrows in the simulation, what direction is the gravitational force of the orbiting objects (The Sun and the Earth)?

Answer explanation

The gravitational force between the Sun and the Earth is directed towards each other. The vector arrows in the simulation point to the center of mass of the Earth towards the Sun, indicating the attraction between the two objects.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

According to the vector arrows in the simulation, in what direction is the velocity of Earth?

Answer explanation

The velocity of Earth is indicated by the vector arrows pointing in a specific direction. Typically, this direction is a tangent to its orbit around the Sun perpendicular to the force of gravity, showing that Earth moves forward in its elliptical path.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

If the Sun's gravity were to suddenly disappear, what would happen to the Earth?

Answer explanation

If the Sun's gravity disappeared, Earth would no longer be held in orbit and would move in a straight line into space, following the vector of its velocity at the moment the gravity disappeared.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Describe the shape of the Earth’s Orbit: ________________

Answer explanation

In the simulation, the shape of the Earth's orbit appears to be circular, although in reality it is slightly elliptical.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

Reset the simulation and again turn on Gravity, Gravity Force, Velocity, and Path.

The Earth rotates once around the Sun in 365 days (approximately). If you increase the mass of the Sun to 1.5, what happens to the shape of the Earth’s orbit, and how many days does one orbit take?

Answer explanation

Increasing the Sun's mass to 1.5 will strengthen its gravitational pull, causing the Earth's orbit to become more elliptical. However, the orbital period remains approximately 365 days due to Kepler's laws.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Reset the simulation and again turn on Gravity, Gravity Force, Velocity, and Path.

Decrease the mass of the Sun by 1/2.

What happens to the Earth?

Answer explanation

If the mass of the Sun is decreased by half, its gravitational pull on the Earth weakens. Consequently, the Earth will move to a higher orbit or may even escape the Sun's gravitational influence, leading to instability in its path.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Reset the simulation and again turn on Gravity, Gravity Force, Velocity, and Path. This time, choose Earth and Moon for the simulation.

Observe the standard orbit of the Earth around the Moon. What happens when you decrease the mass of the moon by 50%? (Put the simulation on FAST and let it run for 1500 Earth Days before answering)

Answer explanation

When the mass of the Moon is decreased by 50%, its gravitational pull on the Earth weakens. This results in a less stable orbit, causing the Earth to move away from the Moon and potentially alter its orbital path.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

if the Earth’s mass increases by 50%, how does the

orbit and the location of the earth relative to the moon, change?

Answer explanation

If Earth's mass increases by 50%, its gravitational pull on the Moon would also increase, potentially altering the Moon's orbit. The Earth-Moon distance may decrease, affecting their relative positions.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

If the Earth's mass were to double, how long before your dog dies? Why?

Answer explanation

Your dog (and you) will die in 5-6 days when the Moon strikes the Earth and all life is wiped out.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-PS2-4