Intergalactic Planetary

Task at hand

My next group project that was assigned to my group and I was to learn as much as we could about the solar system and how we could predict it. My other partner and I created a total of 5 models of our solar system, with each model becoming more and more intricate with more information. Although each "model" may not seem like your classic paper mache or drawn out model. However our model still helped predict and show the way in which our solar system acted.

first models

My partner and I started off this project with a very slim understanding of our solar system. We really only knew how many planets were there and how we all orbit the sun. So with this basic knowledge our first model was something even a 2nd could draw, which was a simple sketch of our planets in orbit.

Shortly after my partner and I finished our first model, we set out to make a more sophisticated one that wasn't nearly as bad as our first model. So with the help of Mr. Williams sheet full of planet data we drew the planets in order with the scale of how big they were compared to each other(this did not include the sun).

Model 3

Planet

Our final products

Finally after my teammate and I had learned far more than we did before about the planets and space in general, we were ready for model 4/5. In these models we were going to be predicting things such as rotational period, size, gravitational pull, and orbital speed. For model 4 we were given this planet called Planet X and told to try and create an equation in order to predict some sort of predictable reaction on this planet. My group and I decided we were going to predict the Planets rotational period(how long are its years) and its orbital speed(how fast is it moving). Which can be fully seen on the left

Then finally once we finished our model 4 we set our eyes on our last model. This one however was going to have 2 parts. With one being 4 predictions that could be made about a planet given we had the necessary information about it. The second part was to calculate our weight on planets X,Y, and Earth. As well as their individual orbital periods. This was to be done on a single piece of paper, which had each part on one side. However after finishing the project my teammate misplaced the paper and lost it. So I am not able to show the final product. However to try and describe it I would say it was a basic yellow piece of paper with one side having been sectioned off into 4 parts. With each part describing how you could predict certain things about planets. Then on the back it was sectioned of into 3 parts with each part being for planets X,Y, and Earth. With each part having the answer and calculations of its orbital periods and our weights.

Concepts

This equation for the universal gravitation states that the masses of 2 objects are directyl proportional to eachother, and that all objects are atracted to every object in the universe. This equation was used most during this project and was how we found the forces on both planet X and Y.

Important take backs

Throughout this portion of my Freshman STEM class we learned a lot about things that were either just discovered or were still unknown, or only theorized. And to be honest I found this section most intriguing. We learned about just how interesting and unknown the universe is, and how although we have all these theories and equations that help us make sense of this vast world of ours. We still are basically blind to most of the universe in that we know so little, and that there's so much more to explore in this giant universe. Which to me made this whole unit so much more fascinating and one that I will definitely continue to think about.

Reflection

During this project I feel that I did particularly well in collaborating with my teammate. I think that throughout the entire process I was able to put my best foot forward and give the project my best and upmost attention. I also think that I was able to communicate well during this project. At times if I felt my teammate wasn't doing enough or a good job I would say something about it in a nice and respectful way. Which would then lead to him doing better and putting more effort into the project which is a win win scenario, and a great way to communicate.

However I do think there are some ways that I can improve on in the next project, with one of them being compassion. I felt as though during this project there were times where I might have been too harsh or rude on my partner which lead to him becoming upset. Which in the end helped neither him nor me, so it would be good for me to continue to work on being better in this area. I also think that I didn't do a great job in being creative. I felt like I followed a very boring design scheme when it came to building our model 4/5, and I felt like I did what everyone else was doing. Although this isn't a massive problem it still would be better to be more unique which is why it's something I want to work on.

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