Unit Plan
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: The Apple, the Moon, and the Inverse Square Law

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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...
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Orbital Motion

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Understand angular momentum conservation in the absence of an applied torque in the context of planetary orbits using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a video tutorial are also...
Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Kepler's Laws

For Students 9th - 10th
An outstanding page describing Kepler's three laws of planetary motion.
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Circular and Satellite Motion: Kepler's Three Laws

For Students 9th - 10th
Through interactive practice problems and examples, students explore Kepler's Three Laws of Planetary Motion.
Primary
University of Virginia

University of Virginia: The Studies of Kepler

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
eBook
NASA

Nasa: Kepler and His Laws

For Students 9th - 10th
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....
eBook
Cornell University

Cornell University: Astronomy: Orbital Motion and Kepler's Laws

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: Multiple Choice Planetary Motion Study Cards

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Kepler's Laws 1,2,3 including eccentricity of elliptical orbits. Good for reviewing planetary motions (NYS Earth Science).
Interactive
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Kepler's Second Law

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
eBook
NASA

Nasa: Kepler's Second Law

For Students 9th - 10th
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)...
Unit Plan
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Orbits of Planets and Satellites

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Handout
Virginia Tech

University of Virginia: Johannes Kepler

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Handout
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Kepler System Model

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Lesson Plan
NASA

Nasa: Kepler: A Search for Habitable Planets: Transit Tracks

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Classroom lesson for teaching astronomy uses PowerPoint presentations and illustrations of Kepler's light curves used to discover planets.
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Johannes Kepler

For Students 9th - 10th
An exhaustive biographical account of Johannes Kepler. Describes at length his upbringing, childhood, education, personality and scientific endeavors. Focus is on his development of a cosmological model and the laws of planetary motion.
Online Course
Yale University

Open Yale Courses: Physics 200: Fundamentals of Physics: Kepler's Laws

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Graphic
Other

Kepler and Ellipses

For Students 9th - 10th
Good site explaining the laws of planetary motion and ellipses
Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Paper Mache Solar System

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
This site from the Illinois Institute of Technology provides a set of directions for the creation of a solar system model out of paper mache. Includes orbital distances and planet diameters for the nine planets. Great idea for a student...
Graphic
Curated OER

Cornell University: Orbital Motion and Kepler's Laws

For Students 9th - 10th
At this site from Cornell University, Kepler's three laws of planetary motion are stated. There are brief explanations of each. The laws are applied to explain the features of planetary orbits as well as the motion of binary star...
Graphic
Curated OER

University of St Andrews: Johannes Kepler

For Students 9th - 10th
An exhaustive (very exhaustive) biographical account of Johannes Kepler. Describes at length his upbringing, childhood, education, personality and scientific endeavors. Focus is on his development of a cosmological model and the laws of...
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Solar System!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
An introduction to our solar system: the planets, our Sun and our Moon. Students begin by learning the history and engineering of space travel. They make simple rockets to acquire a basic understanding Newton's third law of motion. They...
Graphic
Curated OER

Science Kids: Science Images: Johannes Kepler

For Students 9th - 10th
This image shows Johannes Kepler, a German astronomer famous for his laws of planetary motion. Check out our Johannes Kepler facts page for more information.
Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Johann Kepler

For Students 9th - 10th
A key figure in the scientific revoluion, a German astrologer, astronomer, and mathematician of famed brilliance. He is best known for his laws of planetary motion.