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Interactive
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Orbit Simulator

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Researchers think they have evidence of a new planet deep in our solar system that is the size of Neptune and orbits the sun far beyond Pluto. The orbit simulator shows the orbits of our well-known planets, as well as Pluto and the comet...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Unit VIII: Worksheet 4 - Central Force

For Students 9th - 12th
Send physics learners into orbit by assigning this seven-problem worksheet. They will calculate the mass of a satellite, construct a force diagram, determine the radius of the orbit, and more. Physics worksheets can become wearisome, but...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Orbital Bliss

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Most young mathematicians are aware that the planets don’t orbit the sun in a circle but rather as an ellipse, but have never studied this interesting feature. This resource looks at the planetary orbits in more detail and helps learners...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mass of the Moon

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this mass of the Moon worksheet, students use the lunar orbit and the orbit period to determine the mass of the Moon. They solve 4 problems including finding the mass of the Moon, determining the ratio of the Moon's mass to the...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

A Matter of Timing

For Students 7th - 9th
In this orbital period worksheet, students solve 2 problems about satellites and their orbits. They determine how many days it takes for two satellites to be in "opposition", they find the least common factor between their orbit periods...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Time That Period

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Physical science starters play with a pendulum in order to experience periodicity. Detailed procedures and a worksheet are included for day one. For day two, learners will use a graphing calculator to help them plot orbit data from a...
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Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Mars Opposition Dance

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Your class will watch as one child orbits the sun as Earth, while another orbits as Mars. If the timing is right, they will see the repetitive dance between the two planets and discover how often they are opposite from each other. For...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Orbital Dynamic Variables are Responsible for Earth's Weather?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore the changing of the seasons. In this astronomy and seasons lesson, students construct a model of the revolution of the sun and the moon. Students compare the recorded solstice/equinox orbital positions and explain the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Orbiting Satellites

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the concept of orbits.  In this Algebra II lesson, 11th graders investigate Earth-orbiting satellites as they use algebraic thinking to calculate altitude and velocity. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Redesign the Rover: Mars Research Year-Round

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers discuss the solar system, the planets, periods of orbit and revolution.  In this space lesson plan students discuss the importance of the study of Mars and brainstorm ideas on how NASA might solve its Rover design problem. 
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PPT
Curated OER

The Periodic Table

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A huge collection of slides introduces chemistry learners to the periodic table of elements, electron configuration, and electronegativity. It opens with the history of today's periodic table, and then details the arrangement. After...
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Lesson Plan
Scholastic

Lesson Three: The Earth, Movement in Space

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
If you feel like you're standing still, you're wrong! The Earth is constantly rotating and orbiting under our feet. Demonstrate the Earth's movement within the solar system with a collaborative activity. With a candle or lamp in the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Patterns in Electron Configuration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A periodic table of elements and ten accompanying questions comprise this chemistry handout. Learners survey the table to discover the relationship between group columns and valence electrons. They also associate energy levels to the...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Homework on Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion

For Students 7th - 10th
In this Kepler's Law worksheet, learners answer questions given a diagram of the orbits of two planets about the sun. They use Kepler's Three Laws of Planetary Motion to answer the questions.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Dimensions of the Solar System

For Students 7th - 11th
A set of instructions that help learners draw concentric orbital arcs to scale of each planet.  There is a table to complete with data and questions to check understanding of realistic orbits and relative sizes.
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PPT
Curated OER

Exploring the Solar System: All About Spacecraft/Spaceflight

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Rarely do you find resources that reach high school astronomy learners. Here is something at their level! The physics of flyby missions is explained via several examples. Landing, penetrating, and roving spacecraft are examined. Diagrams...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Unit VIII Worksheet 5: Circular Motion

For Students 9th - 12th
Seven problems send physics stars out of this world! Challenge learners to calculate centripetal force, time to complete revolutions, circular speed, and acceleration. They also are asked to explain scenarios and draw a force diagram for...
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Activity
NASA

Exploring Exoplanets with Kepler

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Calculate the movement and properties of planets like professional astronomers! Scholars use Kepler's third law to find Mercury and Venus's distance from the sun. Using changes in brightness of distant stars and Kepler's third law,...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Location of Electrons

For Students 9th - 12th
In this location of electrons worksheet, students read about the quantum mechanical model of the atom and the location of electrons. They complete a table given eleven elements with the sublevel notation, the Bohr notation and the...
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PPT
Curated OER

Elements, Atoms, Ions, and the Periodic Table

For Teachers 9th - 11th
This PowerPoint provides a complete recap of all the information needed for a unit on elements and the periodic table. The seventy slides cover the basic notation of elements, energy levels and ionization energies. The trends in the...
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Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Clarke's Dream

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
How does satellite TV keep a steady stream when the earth and the satellite are constantly moving? Scholars use a simulator to adjust the radius of orbit of a satellite around the earth. They view graphs of acceleration and time period...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Fractions in Space

For Students 7th - 9th
In this fractions in space worksheet, students solve 4 problems where they find ratios of orbit periods of satellites, they find the ratio of Neptune's and Pluto's periods, they determine the location of the planets after 5 opposition...
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Organizer
Curated OER

Our Solar System

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
In this solar system worksheet, students complete a database comparing the 9 different planets' mass, surface temperature, rotation period, orbital period, moons, and distinguishing features. This worksheet is a graphic organizer.
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Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Planet Line-Ups

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Should Pluto be considered a planet or a dwarf planet? Scholars research planets in our solar system to understand their similarities and differences. It also includes memory activities related to the order of the planets.