The Physics Classroom » Lesson Plans » Algebra Based On-Level Physics » Circular and Satellite Motion

Circular and Satellite Motion - Lesson Plans

The lesson plans below include links to the specific resources on our website.

Teacher Guides for labs can be found here.

NOTE: All CalcPad problem sets are customized problem sets created specifically for this course. The links direct users to the Guest version. Task Tracker users should use the link on the Task Tracker page to the trackable CalcPad version.  

Day 1 of Circular and Satellite Motion

Lesson Plan
  1. Introduce unit
  2. Lab 1 - Making the Turn
  3. Discuss Circular Motion:
    Speed vs. velocity, acceleration, net force; direction of vectors; why is there an acceleration for a constant speed motion?; the law of inertia; centripetal force requirement; demonstrations
  4. Pair Practice: Speed and Velocity Think Sheet
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 1, Parts a and b
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission CG1 on Speed and Velocity



 

Day 2 of Circular and Satellite Motion

Lesson Plan
  1. Review: acceleration and net force for circular motion
  2. Pair Practice: Acceleration and Circular Motion Think Sheet
  3. Concept Builder: Circular Logic (Master Level only)
  4. Physics Interactives: Uniform Circular Motion with Student Activity Sheet
    Do and process; follow-up with a Concept Checker
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 1, Part c and d
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission CG2 on Acceleration and Net Force


 

Day 3 of Circular and Satellite Motion

Lesson Plan
  1. Detail the law of inertia and the outward sensation of a force; use Circular Motion and Inertia Think Sheet
  2. Lab 2: Loop the Loop
    Do and process; emphasis on FBD and relative magnitude of forces
  3. Centripetal Force Requirement Think Sheet
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Minds On Physics: Mission CG3 on Centripetal Force and Inertia
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission CG4 on Centripetal Force Requirement



 

Day 4 of Circular and Satellite Motion

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss mathematics of circular motion: v and a equations; FBDs and Fnet = m•a
  2. Guided and Individual Practice: Mathematics of Circular Motion Think Sheet (selected Qs)
  3. Concept Builder: Forces and Free-Body Diagrams in Circular Motion (either Apprentice or Master Level only)
  4. CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 1: Newton's 2nd Law Analysis
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 2, Parts a and b
  2. CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 1: Newton's 2nd Law Analysis




 

Day 5 of Circular and Satellite Motion

Lesson Plan
  1. Guided and Individual Practice: Mathematics of Circular Motion Think Sheet (selected Qs)
  2. Physics Interactives: Race Track Simulation
    Do and process; follow it up with a Concept Checker
  3. CalcPad: Circular and Satellite Motion 2: Newton's 2nd Law Analysis
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 2: Newton's 2nd Law Analysis
  2. If not done in class, complete the Concept Checker




 

Day 6 of Circular and Satellite Motion

Lesson Plan
  1. Guided and Individual Practice: Mathematics of Circular Motion Think Sheet (selected Qs)
  2. Physics Interactives: Horizontal Circle Simulation with Student Activity Sheet
    Do and process; follow it up with a Concept Checker
  3. If time allows, work on CalcPad problems
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 3: Newton's 2nd Law Analysis
  2. If not done in class, complete the Concept Checker




 

Day 7 of Circular and Satellite Motion

Lesson Plan
  1. Physics Interactives: Gravitational Fields with Student Activity Sheet
    Do and process
  2. Discuss Newton's theory: product of the masses; inverse square law; universal
  3. Universal Gravitation Think Sheet (Partners: #1-11; Teacher-guided: #12-13; Individual: #14-20)
  4. Start Gravitational Fields Concept Checker
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 3, Parts a, b, and c
  2. Finish Gravitational Fields Concept Checker




 

Day 8 of Circular and Satellite Motion

Lesson Plan
  1. Review; then Pair Practice: Inverse Square Law of Universal Gravitation Think Sheet
  2. Derive g=G•M/R^2; calculate g on Earth's surface
  3. Concept Builder: Universal Gravitation
  4. Minds On Physics: Mission CG6 on Universal Gravitation
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 3, Part e
  2. Finish whatever was not completed in class




 

Day 9 of Circular and Satellite Motion

Lesson Plan
  1. Physics Interactives: Orbital Motion with Student Activity Sheet
  2. Discuss Satellite Motion concepts and mathematics
  3. Satellite Motion Think Sheet (Guided: #1-5; Pairs: #6-9)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 4, Parts b and c
  2. CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 4: Orbital Mathematics




 

Day 10 of Circular and Satellite Motion

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Satellite Motion concepts and mathematics; more examples
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission CG8 on Satellite Motion
  3. Physics Interactives: Elevator Ride with Student Activity Sheet
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 4, Part b and c
  2. CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 5: Orbital Mathematics




 

Day 11 of Circular and Satellite Motion

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Weightlessness concept; associate with Elevator Ride simulation
  2. Pair Practice: Weightlessness Think Sheet
  3. Minds On Physics: Mission CG9 on Weightlessness
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 4, Part d
  2. CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 6: Normal Force




 

Day 12 of Circular and Satellite Motion

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Kepler's Laws
  2. Kepler's Laws and Planetary Motion Think Sheet
  3. Minds On Physics: Mission CG10 on Kepler's Laws
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 4, Part a
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission CG10 on Kepler's Laws




 

Day 13 of Circular and Satellite Motion

Lesson Plan
Review day: this is a chance for students to process ideas, work independently or together, and prepare for exam. Suggested online review activities include:
 
  1. Concept Builder: Gravitational Field Strength
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission CG5 on Mathematical Analysis of Circular Motion
  3. Concept Checker: Elevator Ride
  4. CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 7: Unit Review
  5. The Review Session - Circular Motion and Universal Gravitation
 
NOTE: The above assignments are intended as optional review assignments and not required assignments.
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Prepare for Tomorrow's Test
  2. Complete all unfinished work