Gravity and Orbits A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines.



Title Gravity and Orbits
Description This activity was developed for 5th and 6th grade classrooms, though can probably be used in a variety of settings. Students will be able to: • Draw motion of planets, Moons and satellites. • Draw diagrams to show how gravity is the force that controls the motion of our solar system. • Identify the variables that affect the strength of the gravity. • Predict how motion would change if gravity was stronger or weaker. The Student Activity includes pre- and post-labs, but these can be excluded.
Subject Astronomy, Earth Science, Physics
Level K-5, Middle School
Type Lab
Duration 90 minutes
Answers Included No
Language English
Keywords gravity, motion
Simulation(s) Gravity And Orbits (HTML5), Gravity and Orbits

Author(s) Emily Moore, Kathy Perkins, Christine Denison, Trish Loeblein
Contact Email emily.moore@colorado.edu
School / Organization PhET
Date submitted 3/30/11
Date updated 11/28/16