Universal Gravitation
This unit bundles student expectations that address Newton's law of universal gravitation, a landmark theory in classical physics. Students specifically explore the historical development of ideas relating to gravity and use algebraic manipulations to analyze quantities that affect the magnitude of the gravitational force. Students use knowledge of kinematics (such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration) and dynamics (such as the relationship between force and acceleration), in addition to knowledge of universal gravitation to solve problem scenarios and then to justify their findings.
ASSIGNMENT:
1. Open the link for the virtual lab above.
2. Start by changing the masses of the objects and write a complete sentence about how the masses of the objects effect the force exerted by one object on the other.
3. Leave the masses the same and change the distance between the objects. Write another sentence about how the distance between objects effects the force between them.
4. This is the gist of Universal Gravitation, the topic for this unit.
ASSIGNMENT:
1. Click the link on the right for some scientific notation practice. In this unit (and future ones), we will need to use scientific notation.
2. If you don't remember how to use scientific notation, you may use the video above to help. Otherwise, if you already know and remember how to use it, just complete the practice.
ASSIGNMENT:
1. Create a bubble map describing Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation.
2. Be sure to include the equation and what each of the variables in the equation are, including G. Don't worry as much about Keppler's Laws. The second video is an excerpt adding Einstein's contributions.
ASSIGNMENT:
1. Watch the video on calculating Gravitational Force.
2. Then, come get a copy of "Universal Gravitation Practice Problems" from me. Use the video and your math skills to complete your calculations.
3. Show me how you are completing at least one of the problems while you are working. SHOW YOUR WORK!!! DO NOT JUST THROW NUMBERS IN THE CALCULATOR!
4. When using the calculator, be mindful that you are using parantheses in the correct spots to show the appropriate order of operations or you will end up with the wrong answer.
ASSIGNMENT:
1. Use the link above to see another set of problems completed with gravitational force.
2. At the bottom of the page there are practice problems and answers, so you can check yourself and determine how well you're doing solving these problems.
ASSIGNMENT:
1. Watch one of the videos on Sir Isaac Newton.
2. Write a 4-6 sentence summary about Newton's contributions to science. Be sure to emphasize his work with respect to gravity.
That's all folks! You are ready for your Big G quiz!