Exploring our Solar SystemP2f part 1

Objectives

In this lesson we should learn:

• about the bodies in space that make up the Universe

• why planets and moons stay in orbits

• about the planets in our Solar System, producing a model of the Solar System

OutcomesFoundation PaperYou should now be able to..• Know that: Earth is one of a number of planets that orbit

the Sun: the Moon orbits Earth; Earth orbits the Sun and the relative positions of Earth, Sun and planets

• Know that the Universe consists of: stars and planets, comets and meteors, black holes, large groups of stars called galaxies

• Describe why stars can be seen even though they are far away

• Describe that gravitational force determines the motion of planets and satellites

• Higher paper• Know the relative positions of planets, stars, comets,

meteors, galaxies and black holes• Know that circular motion requires a centripetal force and

that gravity provides the centripetal force for orbital motion

The Universe

Moon

Cluster

Star Meteor

Sun

UniverseEarthAsteroid

Galaxy

Planet

Can you put them in order of size?

Universe

Universe

Cluster

Galaxy

Star and Sun

Planet and Earth

Moon

Asteroid

Meteor

Our universal address would be:

Weatherhead high School,

Breck road,

Wallasey,

CH44 3HS,

England,

Europe,

Earth,

Sol,

Milky Way Galaxy,

Andromeda Cluster,

The Universe.

Galaxies

3 Types of Galaxies1) Elliptical – oval shaped, no arms,

little gas or dust clouds2) Spiral – bulging nucleus (the center)

with a least two arms that contain great clouds of gas & dust coming out on opposite sides (3/4 of all)

3) Irregular – stars spread unevenly, no distinct shape, least common

Elliptical

Spiral

Barred Spiral

Irregular

Black holes

• The gravity on neutron stars, white dwarfs and black dwarfs is so strong that it crushes atoms, so the matter in stars is millions of times denser than anything on earth.

• A black hole is formed if enough of this dense matter is left behind after a supernova explosion then the gravitational field is so strong that nothing can escape not even light.

• Scientists know they exist using x-rays

Black Holes

Black Holes

•The intense gravitational field left when a giant star collapses

Satellites

Path followed by satellite

Path followed if gravity switched off

Pull of gravity

Earth

Useful orbitsThere are TWO main orbits that are useful called POLAR and EQUATORIAL.

POLAR -The orbit is close to the Earth, only just above the atmosphere. With a good camera you can see the headlines on a newspaper!

Because the Earth spins the satellite will ‘see’ every part of the Earth once every 24 hours.

This orbit is used for spy and weather satellites.

Polar orbits

Equatorial orbits

At the right distance the satellite will take 24 hours to orbit the Earth. Because the Earth is also spinning once each 24 hours the satellite stays above the same place on the Earth all the time. We call this a GEOSTATIONARY orbit.This orbit is used for communication satellites, like Sky TV.

OutcomesFoundation PaperYou should now be able to..Know that: Earth is one of a number of planets that orbit

the Sun: the Moon orbits Earth; Earth orbits the Sun and the relative positions of Earth, Sun and planets

Know that the Universe consists of: stars and planets, comets and meteors, black holes, large groups of stars called galaxies

Describe why stars can be seen even though they are far away

Describe that gravitational force determines the motion of planets and satellites

Higher paperKnow the relative positions of planets, stars, comets,

meteors, galaxies and black holesKnow that circular motion requires a centripetal force and

that gravity provides the centripetal force for orbital motion

This powerpoint was kindly donated to www.worldofteaching.com

http://www.worldofteaching.com is home to over a thousand powerpoints submitted by teachers. This is a completely free site and requires no registration. Please visit and I hope it will help in your teaching.