Circles and Solar Systems
- Author:
- Rivkah Singh
You are the master of your own universe!
Design your own solar system and learn about circle properties at the same time! In this adventure, B is your sun, and points D and F are planets.
1. With your mouse, drag points A, B, and E. How do the values change?
2. What is the distance from planet D to the sun?
3. What is the distance from planet F to the sun?
4. What is the difference between the distance from Planet D to the sun and planet F to the sun?
5. If Planet D and F both have circular orbits, what do length's BA and BE represent?
6. Drag point A closer to the sun. Compare the speed of planet A's orbit to planet F's orbit. What did you discover? Why does this occur?
7. What is the circumference of the circle shown? If planet D is traveling along the circumference of the circle, what does circumference measure?
8. If the orbit of planet F is also circular, what is the distance that planet F will cover after completing one orbit around the sun? (assume the units are in millions of miles)
9. If planet D is traveling at 67,500 mph, how long will it take to complete one orbit around the sun?
10. Create three separate solar systems by dragging points A, B, and E. For each solar system you create, calculate the distance that planet's D and F have from the sun.
11. Make up your own question that links the solar system you create to circle properties.