Re: [Phys-l] gravitational force

["Mike VanAntwerp" <mvanantw@hpsk12.net>]

Sure- thanks for the sarcasm.  I'm looking for ways to get students to
work with Kepler's Laws and F= G (m1m2/d^2) in a lab setting.  This is
for a high school class.

Mike Van Antwerp
Biology W202
mvanantw@hpsk12.net

> > > jsd@av8n.com 10/31 10:25 AM >>>
On 10/31/2006 09:23 AM, Mike VanAntwerp wrote:
> Does anyone have any lab activities or advice on teaching a unit on
> this?  I'd appreciate any  help with this.   

Can you ask a more specific question?   There are probably hundreds
if not thousands of possible lessons in this general area.  Just to
scratch the surface:
 -- Dropping things.
 -- Rolling things on inclined planes, à la Galileo.
 -- Pine car derby.
 -- Pendulums.
 -- Interrupted pendulums, à la Galileo.
 -- Putting an accelerometer in a nearby elevator.
 -- A field trip to the nearest pre-school playground merry-go-round
  http://trouble.philadelphiaweekly.com/archives/MERRY-GO-%20ROUND.jpg

 -- Centrifuges.
 -- Centrifuges where the string is cut loose at the 12:00 position so
  that the subsequent motion of the now-free particle can be observed.
  Hint:  the string can be cut by a torch, or released by a photogate
  plus electromagnet.  The idea is you want to make sure the cutting
  process doesn't disturb the motion.
 -- et cetera...................
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