Intergalactic Planetary

Our Task

For this project, we worked in pairs to draw and create scientific models of the solar system to gain a better understanding of gravity, orbits, and how the universe works. We made a total of five models with increasing levels of detail and physics calculations. For Model 1, we drew a rough outline of the solar system in our notebooks using only previous knowledge.

Model 2 & 3

Model 2 and 3 were done on the same paper. We first drew the planets to scale, then using the NASA Planetary Fact Sheet, we added information about the diameter, gravity, and length of day on each planet.

Model 4

In this model, we chose to explore the relationship between the distance from sun, orbital period, and orbital velocity of planets in the solar system. Given the orbital period and distance from sun of this planet, we were able to use this pattern to create a scientific model and predict the orbital velocity of a newly discovered "Planet X".

Copy of orbital velocity

Model 5

We were given sets of information for "Planet X", "Planet Y" and Earth. We then modeled how to predict different phenomenon such as density and acceleration due to gravity using the given information. On the back, we calculated the orbital period of each planet, as well as the weight of a 50kg person on the surface.

Content

Universal Gravitation (Fg): Every object of mass is attracted to every other object of mass in the universe. The force of gravity between two objects can be calculated using Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation:

Fg = (Gm1 m2)/d2

Where m1 and m2 are the masses of the two objects, d is the distance between the two centers of mass, and G is the gravitational constant (6.67 x 10-11 )

Inverse Square Law: The gravitational force of an object is inversely proportional to the distance squared between the two objects. Ex: an object twice as far would have a quarter of the gravitational force.

Orbital Period: the amount of time if takes for an object to complete a single orbit

Escape Velocity: the minimum velocity for an object to escape from a planet or moon's gravity, disregarding atmosphere and drag.

Ex: escape velocity on Earth is 11.2 km/s

Scientific Notation: a notation used for exceptionally small or large numbers. Numbers are written as a number times a power of ten. Ex: 2.4 x 10^22

Reflection

This project was relatively short, but interesting and enjoyable. My partner and I worked well together and were able to make the models both factual and aesthetically pleasing. One thing we were successful at was collaboration. We cooperated and worked well with each other by utilizing each of our strengths to split the workload up evenly between the two of us. For example, while I worked more on the calculations and physics content, my partner focused more on the aesthetics of the final product. Another area we did well on was communication. I was able to communicate my ideas and listen to my partner's ideas, as well as explain our thinking clearly in the models and presentations.

Some areas that could use improvement were critical thinking and conscientious learning. For Model 4, we chose to explore a simple relationship between distance, velocity and time. Although this model was successful and informative, I think we could have challenged ourselves more and set higher goals by elaborating on the existing idea with elliptical orbits, or choosing to study a more complex phenomenon. Since we were given a shorter amount of time to complete this project, things felt a bit rushed. We could have managed our time better and stayed on task more throughout the course of the project.

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