Modeling Gravity and Orbits

Part 1: Starting Observations

The Earth's orbit is best described as _?_.

• perfectly circular

• oval

• elliptical

• pyriform

Part 1: Starting Observations

Roughly, how long does it take the Earth to orbit one time around the Sun?

• 60 minutes

• 24 hours

• 28 days

• 365 days

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Part 1: Starting Observations

Which best describes what happens when you turn off the force of gravity?

• The Earth ceases to orbit but continues to move in a straight path.

• The Earth continues to orbit but at a slower rate of velocity.

• The Earth ceases to orbit and is pulled directly into the Sun on a straight path.

• The Earth continues to orbit but its distance from the Sun increase with each orbit.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Part 2: Investigation

Which best describes what happens when you decrease solar mass to .5?

• The Earth orbit remains unchanged.

• The Earth flies off into space and does not orbit the Sun.

• The Earth's orbit becomes more eccentric elliptical.

• Earth crashes into the Sun because the gravity pulls it in.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Part 2: Investigation

Which best describes what happens when you decrease solar mass to 2?

• The Earth's orbit remains unchanged.

• The Earth flies off into space and does not orbit the Sun.

• The Earth's orbit becomes more eccentric elliptical.

• Earth crashes into the Sun because the gravity pulls it in.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Part 3: Conclusion

How did changing the mass of the Earth but keeping solar mass constant (the same) effect the planet's orbit?

• The Earth's orbit remains unchanged.

• The Earth flies off into space and does not orbit the Sun.

• The Earth's orbit becomes more eccentric elliptical.

• Earth crashes into the Sun because the gravity pulls it in.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Part 3: Conclusion

Why do you think in the previous question occurs?

• The Earth's mass is still too small compared to the Sun's to cause a noticeable change in gravitational pull.

• The Earth's mass is still too large compared to the Sun's to cause a noticeable increase gravitational pull.

• The Earth's mass is still too small compared to the Sun's to cause a noticeable decrease gravitational pull.

• The Earth's mass is still too large compared to the Sun's to cause a noticeable change in gravitational pull.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Part 4: Investigation

What was the effect the decreasing the Earth's distance from the Sun by .5 have on its orbit?

• The Earth's orbit remains unchanged.

• The Earth flies off into space and does not orbit the Sun.

• The Earth's orbit becomes more eccentric elliptical.

• Earth crashes into the Sun because the gravity pulls it in.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Part 4: Investigation

What was the effect the increasing the Earth's distance from the Sun by 1.5 have on its orbit?

• The Earth's orbit remains unchanged.

• The Earth flies off into space and does not orbit the Sun.

• The Earth's orbit becomes more eccentric elliptical.

• Earth crashes into the Sun because the gravity pulls it in.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Part 4: Investigation

What was the effect the increasing the Earth's distance from the Sun by 2.0 have on its orbit?

• The Earth's orbit remains unchanged.

• The Earth flies off into space and does not orbit the Sun.

• The Earth's orbit becomes more eccentric elliptical.

• Earth crashes into the Sun because the gravity pulls it in.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4