Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Satellites and Kepler's Laws: An Argument for Simplicity
By the end of this section, you will be able to state Kepler's laws of planetary motion, derive Kepler's third law for circular orbits, and discuss the Ptolemaic model of the universe.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Satellites and Kepler's Laws: An Argument for Simplicity
In the following interactive students will begin to understand the laws of Kepler regarding planetary motion and derive the third law of Kepler for circular orbits. They will also discuss the Ptolemaic model of the universe.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Kepler's Laws
An outstanding page describing Kepler's three laws of planetary motion.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
In this online lesson students will learn the impacts of the scientific contributions of a variety of historical and contemporary scientists on scientific thought and society.[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all...
Yale University
Open Yale Courses: Physics 200: Fundamentals of Physics: Kepler's Laws
This lecture explains Kepler's Three Laws of motion. Application of these laws are made to planetary movements around the sun. The lecture is available in multiple formats (audio, video, written transcript). Practice problems are also...
NASA
Nasa: Kepler: A Search for Habitable Planets: Transit Tracks
Classroom lesson for teaching astronomy uses PowerPoint presentations and illustrations of Kepler's light curves used to discover planets.
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Kepler System Model
This site from Open Source Physics offers a file with a simulation of Kepler's theory of planetary motion, tested with the Earth rotating around the sun and another planet of the user's choosing. The download requires Java.
Cornell University
Cornell University: Astronomy: Orbital Motion and Kepler's Laws
At this site from the Astronomy Department of Cornell University, Kepler's three laws of planetary motion are stated. There are brief explanations of each, along with links to additional information on related subjects.
NASA
Nasa: Kepler and His Laws
This site from NASA provides biographical details about the lives of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler. Discusses Kepler's successes at developing laws of planeatry motion. States the three laws and discusses each one individually....
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics: Gravitation Study Guide
This study guide on gravitation covers some key vocabulary, Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion, and orbiting bodies or satellites. Includes important equations. It is available for download with free registration.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: The Studies of Kepler
Biographical information of the early life of Kepler is provided as well as a somewhat detailed look at the highs and lows of his work in studying planetary motion.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Circular and Satellite Motion: Kepler's Three Laws
Through interactive practice problems and examples, students explore Kepler's Three Laws of Planetary Motion.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: The Apple, the Moon, and the Inverse Square Law
Describes the logic behind the development of Newton's law of universal gravitation. Beginning with Johannes Kepler and his three laws of planetary motion, content walks the reader through Newton's thought process and development of this...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Kepler's Three Laws
The three laws of planetary motion as described by Kepler are stated and elaborated upon. Useful graphics and an easy-to-understand language are used to explain the nature of planetary motion. Both conceptual and mathematical. Includes a...
NASA
Nasa: Kepler's Third Law
This site from NASA states Kepler's third law of motion and extends it to develop an equation for the velocity of an orbiting planet.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: Lecture on Kepler
The University of Virginia provides a continuation of a lecture given on astronomer Johannes Kepler, this lecture covers his different works within the field of astronomy.
Virginia Tech
University of Virginia: Johannes Kepler
The University of Virginia provides notes from a lengthy lecture given on the life of Johannes Kepler. This site has GREAT information and is easy to understand.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Journey to Mars
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about Kepler's Laws of motion by planning a trip to Mars using a Hohmann transfer orbit.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Your Age on Other Worlds
How old would you be on Mars? Venus? Have fun plugging in your birthdate to see your age on other planets then read scroll down for a full explanation.
NASA
Nasa: Kepler's Second Law
This site from NASA states Kepler's second law of planetary motion and depicts its meaning with an informative diagram. Relates the law to conservation of energy principles and discusses the eccentricity of a satellite's (or a planet's)...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Kepler's Second Law
Kepler's second law of planetary motion is stated and explained. An animation of the orbit of a planet and an accompanying graphic assists in explaining the meaning of the law of equal areas.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Flight to Mars: How Long? Along What Path?
Demonstrate how, with the use of orbital mechanics, a space mission to Mars can be planned. Using no more than algebra, Kepler's laws and the formula for the energy of an object in a Kepler orbit, the exercise derives the time for an...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Orbits of Planets and Satellites
Students explore orbits of planets and satellites. Some topics examined in the activities are planetary motion, angular momentum of orbits, and Kepler's laws. The resource consists of video clips, lecture notes, practice problems, and...
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Multiple Choice Planetary Motion Study Cards
Kepler's Laws 1,2,3 including eccentricity of elliptical orbits. Good for reviewing planetary motions (NYS Earth Science).