Intergalactic Planetary

Purpose

For this project, my partner and I were first instructed to make a model of the planets and include everything we knew about them. We then found out that we would be making many different models and continuing the extent of our research. We ended up being able to predict the orbital period of an unknown planet, it's gravitational acceleration, and my weight on this unknown planet.

Model 1

This was my partner and I's first model. We were instructed to make a model of the planets and include as much information as we could. We weren't given any additional information, and we weren't allowed to look at any outside sources. As you can see, we knew a minimal amount of information. We have the order of the planets, a very rough size scale, and no spacing. Our model may look sort of accurate to the average person taking a glance, but it is actually far from close to being a precise model.

Model 2

In our second model, we had some new information. We were given three sources for information that would be useful when creating a accurate model. We decided to include mass of the planet relative to the earth, mean distance from the sun to Earth, and diameter relative to Earth in our new model. We made everything relative to Earth so that people would be able to somewhat comprehend the numbers we were talking about. We also tried our best to make the planet sizes and spacing relative to the real solar system. However, we did have limitations to the size and spacing because of the size of the paper.

Model 3

For our third model, we were instructed to choose two planets, one rocky and one gas giant. With these two planets we were told to write the mass of the planet, the radius of the planet, calculate the planets gravitational constant, distance from the sun, calculate the force of gravity between the sun and the planet, and include a drawing of the planets. As you can see, my partner and I chose Venus and Uranus. This model was very different from the others and really helped me to understand the differences between rocky planets and gas planets.

Model 4

For model four, we had to create our own phenomena. We started off by looking at a chart that showed various facts about the planets such as rotation period, escape velocity, obliquity to orbit, etc. We had to find a pattern in the chart that we could then explain using charts, diagrams, and explanations. My partner and I noticed that the more mass and diameter a celestial body has, the more acceleration due to gravity it will have and vice versa. For our evidence, we used three very different planets. We used Jupiter, which has very larger acceleration due to gravity, Mars, which has very small acceleration due to gravity, and Saturn, which is in between both planets, a medium force of gravity. This evidence shows that Jupiter has the largest mass and diameter causing it to have the largest force of gravity. Mars has a small mass and diameter causing it to have a small acceleration due to gravity. After that we explained our concept with logic in the information box. Then we drew a visual, showed the equation we used, showed our solving steps, made a chart in which we listed planet X, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn's mass gravity, and acceleration due to gravity, listed limitations to our phenomena, unanswered questions, and modifications. You can read all our information to the left.

Model 5 A

For model five A, my partner and I had to make predictions about the planets when we only knew a few things about them. We were given a chart that included planets mass, orbital speed, distance from sun, radius, and obliquity to orbit. As you can see to the right, my partner and I made four predictions and gave evidence for each prediction. We found equations, made models, and even defined vocabulary words so that everyone can understand our predictions.

Model 5 B

In model five B my partner and I calculated the orbital period of Planet X, Planet Y, (fake planets) and Earth. We used the equation T= 2(3.14)d/v to predict the orbital period of the planets. We also had to calculate our weight on each planet by using the equation F= Gm1m2/r^2. My partner and I made sure to label our chart as neatly as possible, and show all of our work to avoid confusion.

Equations we used:

Force of Gravity- Fg= Gm1m2/d^2

Gravitational Constant- G=6.67* 10^-11 Nm^2/kg^-2

Orbital Velocity- V= 2(3.14)r/T

Orbital Period- T= 2(3.14)r/v

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