Forces in Space

Explain how gravity affects the motion of planets in our solar system.

• Gravity keeps the planets in a straight line.

• Gravity keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun.

• Gravity pushes the planets away from the Sun.

• Gravity has no effect on the motion of planets.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Compare and contrast the concepts of average speed and average velocity. Why is average speed always greater than or equal to average velocity?

• Average speed is a scalar quantity, while average velocity is a vector quantity.

• Average speed includes direction, while average velocity does not.

• Average speed is the total distance divided by time, while average velocity is the total displacement divided by time.

• Average speed is always less than average velocity.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A spacecraft travels from Earth to Mars. Explain how the gravitational forces from both planets affect its trajectory.

• Only Earth's gravity affects the spacecraft.

• Only Mars' gravity affects the spacecraft.

• Both Earth's and Mars' gravity affect the spacecraft's trajectory.

• Neither Earth's nor Mars' gravity affects the spacecraft.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Describe a scenario where the average speed of an object is equal to its average velocity.

• An object moving in a circular path.

• An object moving in a straight line without changing direction.

• An object moving back and forth.

• An object moving in a zigzag pattern.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A satellite orbits Earth in a circular path. Explain how the gravitational force between the satellite and Earth keeps the satellite in orbit.

• The gravitational force acts as a centripetal force, pulling the satellite towards Earth.

• The gravitational force pushes the satellite away from Earth.

• The gravitational force has no effect on the satellite's orbit.

• The gravitational force only affects the satellite's speed.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

If a planet's average speed around the Sun is known, explain how you would determine its average velocity.

• Measure the total distance traveled by the planet.

• Measure the total displacement of the planet.

• Measure the time taken for one complete orbit.

• Measure the direction of the planet's motion.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Explain why astronauts experience weightlessness while orbiting Earth.

• There is no gravity in space.

• The gravitational force is too weak in space.

• The astronauts are in free fall, experiencing continuous free fall towards Earth.

• The spacecraft generates an anti-gravity field.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A comet travels through the solar system. Describe how the gravitational forces from the Sun and other planets influence its path.

• Only the Sun's gravity affects the comet.

• Only the gravity of the nearest planet affects the comet.

• The gravitational forces from the Sun and all planets influence the comet's path.

• The comet is not affected by any gravitational forces.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Explain how the concept of escape velocity is related to gravity.

• Escape velocity is the speed needed to overcome the gravitational pull of a celestial body.

• Escape velocity is the speed needed to enter the gravitational pull of a celestial body.

• Escape velocity is the speed needed to maintain orbit around a celestial body.

• Escape velocity is the speed needed to travel between celestial bodies.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A planet orbits a star in an elliptical path. Explain how the gravitational force between the planet and the star changes as the planet moves along its orbit.

• The gravitational force remains constant.

• The gravitational force increases as the planet moves closer to the star and decreases as it moves away.

• The gravitational force decreases as the planet moves closer to the star and increases as it moves away.

• The gravitational force only changes if the planet's speed changes.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking