Groups simulate an orbit using a piece of string and a water balloon. Individuals spin in a circular path and calculate the balloon's velocity when the clothes pin can no longer hold onto the balloon.

Concepts

gravity, mars, orbiting, rockets, newton's first law of motion, newton's laws of motion, newton's second law of motion, circumference, speed, technology resources

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Additional Tags

elliptical transfer, gravity, mars, orbit, rocket

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Instructional Ideas

• For grade levels that know the circumference formula, modify the worksheet to have the pupils fill in that information
• Use different radii to determine if the escape velocity changes based upon the distance from the center

Classroom Considerations

• To perform the activity, you will need a large open area where it is okay if things get wet 
• The ninth installment in a 13-part series

Pros

• The activity plan has assessments that occur before, during, and after the activity
• The introduction provides a good connection between the activity and the application of orbits in space exploration

Cons

• The activity is a close simulation, though it does not mimic the fact that as velocity increases, the size of the orbit gets larger

Common Core

6.NS.B.2 6.NS.B.3