Red Text and the Conceptual Physics Course Pack
In creating our Lesson Plans and Learning Outcomes for this course we have labeled some items with red text. These resources are part of a separate purchasable product, our Conceptual Physics Course Pack. The download contains source documents, answer keys, and teacher guides for 110 Think Sheets and 55 student labs.
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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
- Introduce unit
- Lab 1 - Making the Turn
- 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
- Pair Practice: Velocity, Acceleration, and Net Force (1) - Page 1
Homework/Announcements
- Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 1, Parts a and b
- Minds On Physics: Mission CG1 on Speed and Velocity
Day 2 of Circular and Satellite Motion
Lesson Plan
- Physics Interactives: Uniform Circular Motion with Student Activity Sheet
Do and process; discuss v, a, and Fnet for circular motion
- Pair Practice: Velocity, Acceleration, and Net Force (1) - Page 2
Do and check; then start ...
- Circular Logic (Master Level only)
Homework/Announcements
- Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 1, Part c and d
- Complete Circular Motion Concept Checker
Day 3 of Circular and Satellite Motion
Lesson Plan
- Detail the law of inertia and the outward sensation of a force; use Circular Motion and Inertia Think Sheet (2)
- Lab 2 - Whirled Peas
Do and process; emphasis on FBD and relative magnitude of forces
- Guided/Pair/Individual Practice: do ~2 Qs from Force Analysis for Circular Motion Think Sheet (3)
Homework/Announcements
- Minds On Physics: Mission CG3 on Centripetal Force and Inertia
- Minds On Physics: Mission CG4 on Centripetal Force Requirement
Day 4 of Circular and Satellite Motion
Lesson Plan
- Guided/Pair/Individual Practice: do ~3-4 Qs from Force Analysis for Circular Motion Think Sheet (3)
- Concept Builder: Forces and Free-Body Diagrams in Circular Motion (either Apprentice Level only)
- Start CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 1: Newton's 2nd Law Analysis
Homework/Announcements
- Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 2, Parts a and b
- CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 1: Newton's 2nd Law Analysis
Day 5 of Circular and Satellite Motion
Lesson Plan
- Guided/Pair/Individual Practice: do ~2 Qs from Force Analysis for Circular Motion Think Sheet (3)
- Physics Interactives: Race Track Simulation
Do and process; follow it up with a Concept Checker
- CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 2: Newton's 2nd Law Analysis
Homework/Announcements
- Review as needed: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 2, Parts a and b
- CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 2: Newton's 2nd Law Analysis
Day 6 of Circular and Satellite Motion
Lesson Plan
- Physics Interactives: The Barrel Ride using Student Activity Sheet
Students collect data and complete the activity sheet
Homework/Announcements
- Prepare for tomorrow's quiz
- Complete Student Activity Sheet if not yet done
Day 7 of Circular and Satellite Motion
Lesson Plan
- Physics Interactives: Gravitational Fields with Student Activity Sheet
Do and process
- Discuss Newton's theory: product of the masses; inverse square law; universal
- Quiz on Learning Outcomes #1 - #3
Homework/Announcements
- Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 3, Parts a, b, and c
- Finish Gravitational Fields Concept Checker
Day 8 of Circular and Satellite Motion
Lesson Plan
- Review Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
- Pair Practice: Universal Gravitation Think Sheet (4)
- Do and check answers; then ...
- Concept Builder: Universal Gravitation
- Minds On Physics: Mission CG6 on Universal Gravitation
Homework/Announcements
- Review as needed: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 3, Parts a, b, and c
- If not done, complete: Mission CG6
Day 9 of Circular and Satellite Motion
Lesson Plan
- Physics Interactives: Orbital Motion with Student Activity Sheet
- Discuss Satellite Motion
What is a satellite?, Newton's Mountain thought experiment; falling towards the Earth vs. falling into the Earth; acceleration of gravity ... diluted by distance; effect of distance upon required speed to orbit
- Pair Practice: Newton's Mountain and Satellites Think Sheet (5)
Homework/Announcements
- Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 4, Part b
- Orbital Motion Concept Checker
Day 10 of Circular and Satellite Motion
Lesson Plan
- Discuss Kepler's Laws
- Pair Practice: Kepler's Laws and Planetary Motion Think Sheet (6)
- Science Reasoning Center: Universal Gravitation
Homework/Announcements
- Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 4, Part a
- If not done in class, complete SRC: Universal Gravitation
Day 11 of Circular and Satellite Motion
Lesson Plan
- Physics Interactives: Elevator Ride with Student Activity Sheet
- Discuss Weightlessness concept; associate with Elevator Ride simulation
- Pair Practice: Weightlessness Think Sheet (7)
Do and check answers; then start ...
- Start Elevator Ride Concept Checker
Homework/Announcements
- Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 4, Part e
- If not done in class, complete: Elevator Ride Concept Checker
Day 12 of Circular and Satellite Motion
Lesson Plan
- Minds On Physics: Mission CG9 on Weightlessness
- Science Reasoning Center: Kepler's Third Law (Laws of Planetary Motion)
- Discuss Test
Homework/Announcements
- Prepare for Tomorrow's Test
- Complete all unfinished work