Exploring our Solar System
P2f 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
Outcomes
Foundation Paper You 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
Star Moon Sun Planet Earth Asteroid Meteor
Galaxy
Universe
Cluster
Can you put them in order of size?
Universe
Our universal address would be:
Universe
Cluster
Galaxy
Star and Sun
Planet and Earth
Moon
Asteroid
Meteor
Weatherhead high School, Breck road, Wallasey, CH44 3HS, England, Europe, Earth, Sol, Milky Way Galaxy, Andromeda Cluster, The Universe.
Galaxies
3 Types of Galaxies
1) Elliptical – oval shaped, no arms, little gas or dust clouds 2) 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
Pull of gravity
Path followed if gravity switched off
Earth
Path followed by satellite
Useful orbits There 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!
Polar orbits
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.
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.
Outcomes
Foundation Paper You 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