Notes:

Teaching Ideas and Suggestions:

This Interactive is intended for use near the earliest stages of a learning cycle on Newton's law of universal gravitation. Especially, when used with the provided exercise, it is best used as an introduction to Newton's gravitation equation. The emphasis of the provided exercise is on the analysis of numerical data with the goal of discovering the mathematical equation relating masses, distance and the force of gravity. As such, it makes little sense to introduce the equation and then to do the exercise.

For many instructors, the most troublesome part of this Interactive will be the units on the gravitational force. The force is not given in Newtons. Such a value would be rather large and for many students, the pattern in the numerical values might become lost amidst the scientific notation. Fictional units for force are used instead.

Our Gravitational Fields simulation is now available with a Concept Checker. Do the simulation. Then follow it up with the Concept Checker.
 

Related Resources

• Reading:
  Lesson 3 of the Circular Motion and Satellite Motion Chapter of the Tutorial is a perfect accompaniment to this Interactive. The following pages will be particularly useful in the early stages of the learning cycle on universal gravitation:
  
  Gravity is More Than a Name
  
  The Apple, the Moon, and the Inverse Square Law
  
  Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
  
  Cavendish and the Value of G
  
  The Value of g
  
   

• Minds On Physics Internet Modules:
  The Minds On Physics Internet Modules include a collection of interactive questioning modules that help learners assess their understanding of physics concepts and solidify those understandings by answering questions that require higher-order thinking. Assignments CG6 and CG7 of the Circular Motion and Gravitation module provide great complements to this Interactive. They are best used in the middle to later stages of the learning cycle. Visit the Minds On Physics Internet Modules.
  
   
• Curriculum/Practice: Several Concept Development worksheets at the Curriculum Corner will be very useful in assisting students in cultivating their understanding, most notably ...
  
  Universal Gravitation
  The Inverse Square Law of Universal Gravitation
  
  Visit the Curriculum Corner.
   

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