Intergalactic Planetary
Our Task
The goal was to create and improve upon separate models of specific parts of our solar system. This project was completed in groups of two, and Vaughn Miguel and I were partnered. We had to find patterns within facts given about the planets and base predictions off these points. In total we made 5 models, each showing different aspects of our solar system.
Evidence of Work
Planetary Models 1-5:
Explanations
Model 1: Background Knowledge -> Self- directed. With no additional resources, draw and explain a model of our solar system. Give as much detail as you can.
For this beginning piece, neither my partner, Vaughn Miguel, nor I had very much knowledge on this subject, so we basically just tried to get down all of the planets' shapes down onto the Jamboard and in the correct order.
Model 2: Scale -> After being given the scale of planet sizes, distances between the planets, and numerical representation of both, create a new, more accurate model.
With this new information, we decided to add a scale and use that to make the distances and sizes of the planets more accurate, however there was limited time and space so it's still not perfect.
Model 3: Vocabulary & Labels -> Read through the vocabulary words given, and adjust Model 2 using color and as much detail that you can.
My partner and I added the names and diameters of the planets onto Model 2. We also included the orbits, labels for distances, and a few facts about the planets in pink.
Model 4: Phenomena & Patterns -> Make a model that explains one pattern you see in the Planetary Fact Sheet. Ensure that it includes:
-At least 3 bodies (ex. Mercury Venus Earth Mars, Mercury Earth Jupiter, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, etc.)
- Use of Newton’s Law of Gravitation F=G*Mm/r^2
- Minimum of three “rows” of information from the Planetary Fact Sheet.
- Possible use of vector diagram
- Predict something. Ex. data and motion of new dwarf planet Planet X; will your model predict the other planets’ motion/data? Why or why not?
This model was completed with a larger time slot, so we could be thorough in our explanations and thought process. We found a pattern based around the distance from the Sun, which affected the temperature and orbital velocity. In this document we described the relationships between these variables, graphs to model the information accurately, modifications showing how we changed the way we found our predictions, the limitations on the methods we used, and finally we revealed the predictions or our estimates for the model.
Model 5: Equations & Calculations ->
5a. Based on the information provided, what can you predict about each planet (ex, from obliquity to orbit, what can you predict?) try to come up with at least 4 things you could predict and how you’d do it.
5b. Now, For Planet X, Planet Y, and Earth, calculate the orbital period using T = 2 π d/v and calculate your weight on the planet using F = G m1 m2 / r^2. Use numbers to find an answer using correct units.
Vaughn and I used the template given to display the data for Model 5 and we used Google Jamboard to visually represent our information. We found that we could predict the acceleration, orbital velocity, surface temperature, and seasonal variety. Completing Model 5 was much smoother for me since there was a template and we just had to fill it in.
Content
Force of Universal Gravitation
Every object is attracted to every other object in the universe directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to distance between them squared. The unit is Newtons. The gravitational constant 6.67 x 10^-11 Nm^2/kg^2.
Equation: Fg = G m1 m2 / d^2
Orbital Period
This is the time in Earth days for a planet to orbit the Sun from one vernal equinox to the next. Also known as the tropical orbit period, this is equal to a year or 365 days on Earth. Unit is days.
Equation: T = 2 π d/v
In Model 5b, we found the orbital periods of Planets X, Y, and Earth.
Orbital Velocity
The average velocity or speed of the planet as it orbits the Sun, in kilometers per second or miles per second.
Example: In Model 4, one of our patterns was about how as the distance from the Sun increases, orbital velocity decreases. We predicted Planet X's orbital velocity to be 3 km/s.
Scientific Notation
A method for expressing a given quantity as a number having significant digits necessary for a specified degree of accuracy, multiplied by 10 to the appropriate power.
Example: The Gravitational Constant is written in scientific notation: 6.67 x 10^-11
To find several values like the orbital period, we used values written in scientific notation since the numbers were too large.
Surface Temperature
This is the average temperature over the whole planet's surface (or for the gas giants at the one bar level) in degrees C (Celsius or Centigrade) or degrees F (Fahrenheit). If something gets to -273 degrees Celsius, or absolute zero, there would be no movement to generate heat in particles, so we knew our predictions for temperature had to be higher than this value.
Example: Our estimate for Planet X's Surface Temperature in Model 4 was -251 degrees Celsius.
Distance from the Sun
The average distance from the planet to the Sun in millions of kilometers or millions of miles, also known as the semi-major axis. All planets have orbits which are elliptical, not perfectly circular, so there is a point in the orbit at which the planet is closest to the Sun, the perihelion, and a point furthest from the Sun, the aphelion. The average distance from the Sun is midway between these two values.
Example: The average distance from the Earth to the Sun is defined as 1 Astronomical Unit (AU).
We used the distance from the Sun values to predict things like the orbital velocity and temperature for Model 4.
Inverse Square Law
A law stating that the intensity of an effect such as gravitational force changes in inverse proportion to the square of the distance from the source. This was an important concept to understand while finding the effect of gravity on the planets in our models.
Reflection
Though neither one of us knew much background information about the planets, Vaughn and I collaborated well to complete this project. We were able to create descriptive explanations of models 4 and 5 and detailed images for the beginning models. I feel that we both ended with a lot more knowledge on the subject. I enjoy this topic and find it very fascinating how little we know about the universe.
During this partnership, I did really well in the work ethic and productivity aspect. I was able to play around with the spreadsheet until I created the correct graphs with predictions found in Model 4, and made sure we were on top of each of our other models so we had time to make modifications. I also feel that I did well in Leadership, which is normally not my strongest area. I asked him what activities he planned to complete and helped figure out who could do which parts frequently over the past few weeks.
The area I could have put more energy into was communicating or brainstorming before diving into them rather than going back to explain. While focusing on creating my prediction for Model 4, I could have told Vaughn and asked what he thought before instead of after. In my next project, my group and I should do a group brainstorm with everyone's ideas so we have a better idea of our plan from the start.