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; take knowledge survey - Circular Motion, Gravitation, and Satellite Motion Beliefs
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 (Wizard 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. Pair Practice: 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. Physics Interactives: Horizontal Circle Simulation with Student Activity Sheet
   Do and process; follow it up with a Concept Checker

 
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. Concept Builder: Forces and Free-Body Diagrams in Circular Motion (Master Level only)

 
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: Vertical Circle Simulation with Student Activity Sheet
   Do and process; follow it up with a Concept Checker

 
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. Inverse Square Law Think Sheet (Teacher-guided: #1; Partners: #2-8)
4. Pair Practice: Universal Gravitation Think Sheet
5. 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. Derive g=G•M/R^2; calculate g on Earth's surface; then do G, g, and Gee Whiz Think Sheet
2. If needed, do more Fgrav and g calculations
3. Concept Builder: Universal Gravitation
4. Concept Builder: Gravitational Field Strength

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 3, Part e
2. CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 4: Gravitation

​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)
4. Concept Checker: Orbital Motion

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 4, Parts b and c
2. CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 5: Orbital Mathematics

​Day 10 of Circular and Satellite Motion
Lesson Plan

1. Discuss Satellite Motion concepts and mathematics; more examples
2. Physics Interactives: Elevator Ride with Student Activity Sheet
3. Concept Checker: Elevator Ride
4. Minds On Physics: Mission CG8 on Satellite Motion

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 4, Part d
2. CalcPad - Circular and Satellite Motion 6: 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. Lab 3 - Law of Harmonies Analysis
4. Discuss Kepler's Laws

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion: Lesson 4, Part a
2. Minds On Physics: Mission CG9 on Weightlessness

​Day 12 of Circular and Satellite Motion
Lesson Plan

1. Kepler's Laws and Planetary Motion Think Sheet
2. Minds On Physics: Mission CG10 on Kepler's Laws
3. Review Unit

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Prepare for Tomorrow's Test
2. Complete all unfinished work