Unpacked Content
Scientific and Engineering Practices
Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
Crosscutting Concepts
Systems and System Models
Knowledge
Students know:
- Common features of the motions of orbiting objects, including their elliptical paths around the sun are described using Kepler's laws.
- Orbits may change due to the gravitational effects from, or collisions with, other objects in the solar system.
Skills
Students are able to:
- Use algebraic thinking (no use of calculus is necessary) to example scientific data and predict the effect of a change in one variable on another.
- Use mathematical or computational representations to describe explanations.
Understanding
Students understand that:
- Relevant components in a mathematical or computational representation of orbital motion may be used to depict Kepler's laws, Newton's laws of motion, and Newton's gravitational laws.
Vocabulary
- Orbital period
- Ellipse
- Focal point
- Semi-major axis
- Eccentricity
- Gravitation
- Force
- Weight
- Mass
