Circular and Satellite Motion Module

The Circular and Satellite Motion module consists of 10 missions (assignments) that address such topics as tangential velocity, centripetal acceleration, centripetal force, inertia, the mathematics of circular motion, satellite motion, universal gravitation, gravitational acceleration, gravitational field strength (g), weightlessness, and Kepler's laws of planetary motion. The 10 missions and the corresponding objectives are listed below.  Tap a mission's name to begin.

Quick Links to Missions:

 

Mission Objectives:

Mission CG1: Speed and Velocity

• The student should be able to distinguish between the concepts of speed and velocity and use such concepts to describe the motion of objects in a circle.
• The student should be able to identify and describe the direction of the velocity vector for an object moving in a circle and identify the variables effecting the magnitude of the velocity.

  

 

Mission CG2: Acceleration and Net Force

• The student should be able to recognize that objects moving in circles have an acceleration and explain the cause of this acceleration.
• The student should be able to describe the magnitude and direction of the acceleration and net force vector of an object moving in a circle at a constant speed.

 
 

Mission CG3: Centripetal Force and Inertia

• The student should be able to use the concept of inertia to explain the reason that objects moving in circles have a tendency to move tangent to the circle.

 
 

Mission CG4: Centripetal Force Requirement

• The student should be able to use the centripetal force requirement to identify the force which act centripetally in order to cause an object to move in circular motion.
• The student should be able to analyze a physical situation involving circular motion and compare the magnitude of the individual forces which act upon an object.

 
 

Mission CG5: Mathematical Analysis of Circular Motion

• The student should be able to utilize Newton's laws to analyze the motion of an object moving in a horizontal circle and to determine the values of the acceleration, net force and individual forces.
• The student should be able utilize Newton's laws to analyze the motion of an object moving in a vertical circle and to determine the values of the acceleration, net force and individual forces.

 
 

Mission CG6: Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation

• The student should be able to recognize key elements of Newton's law of universal gravitation.
• The student should be able to identify the variables effecting the force of gravity and predict the effect of alterations in these variables upon the force of gravity.

 
 

Mission CG7: Gravitational Field Strength

• The student should be able to define the gravitational field strength (g) and identify the variables which affect its value.
• The student should be able to predict the effect of alterations in strategic variables upon the gravitational field strength (g).

 
 

Mission CG8: Satellite Motion

• The student should be able to identify the variables effecting the orbital speed of a satellite and discuss the dependence of orbital speed upon these variables.
• The student should be able to identify the variables effecting the acceleration and net force acting upon an orbiting satellite and discuss the dependence of a and F_netupon these variables.

 
 

Mission CG9: Weightlessness

• The student should be able to distinguish between the weight of an object and the sensations of weightlessness experienced by an object and to explain the cause of these sensations.
•  The student should be able to apply concepts of weight and weightlessness to explain a variety of motions such as roller coaster motions and satellite motion.

 
 

Mission CG10: Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion

• The student should be able to identify and describe each of Kepler's three laws of planetary motion.
• The student should be able to use Kepler's law of harmonies to make calculations regarding the radius and period of orbits of planets.

 
 

 

 

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