PhET Simulation: My Solar System

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published by the Physics Education Technology Project

This Java simulation allows users to build their own system of heavenly bodies and watch the gravitational ballet. With this orbit simulator, the user can set initial positions, velocities, and masses of 2, 3, or 4 bodies, and then see them orbit each other. It was designed to help learners understand how a planet's orbit is affected by its mass, velocity, and distance from its sun.

This resource is accompanied by a collection of labs and lessons for learners from middle school through undergraduate.

This is part of a larger collection of research-based simulations developed by the Physics Education Technology project (PhET). The activities promote interactive exploration of key concepts in physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science.

Please note that this resource requires Flash, or Java Applet Plug-in.

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/my-solar-system

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Astronomy - Fundamentals = Gravity - Solar System Classical Mechanics - Gravity = Orbits - Motion in Two Dimensions - Newton's First Law = Inertia in Motion	- High School - Middle School - Lower Undergraduate - Informal Education	- Instructional Material = Activity = Interactive Simulation = Lecture/Presentation = Lesson/Lesson Plan = Problem/Problem Set

Appropriate Courses	Categories	Ratings
- Physical Science - Physics First - Conceptual Physics - Algebra-based Physics - AP Physics	- Activity - New teachers	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Intended Users:: Learner
Educator
General Public
Formats:: application/java
text/html
Mirror:: http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/my-…
Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 2007 University of Colorado, Physics Education Technology
Additional information is available.
Keywords:: acceleration, gravitation, motion, orbit simulation, planet simulation, planetary system, planets, satellite, satellite simulation, solar system simulation, velocity
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created November 15, 2007 by Alea Smith
Record Updated:: September 9, 2011 by Caroline Hall
Last Update when Cataloged:: November 15, 2010

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This resource is part of 2 Physics Front Topical Units.

Topic: Kinematics: The Physics of Motion
Unit Title: Planetary Motion

With this orbit simulator, you can set initial positions, velocities, and masses of 2, 3, or 4 bodies, and then watch them orbit each other. The simulation is especially effective at helping students understand how distance and mass are related to orbit. Scroll down on the page for related lesson plans developed by middle school and high school teachers.

Link to Unit:

Topic: Astronomy
Unit Title: Astronomy Resources for the K-8 Classroom

Build your own system of heavenly bodies and watch the gravitational ballet! This orbit simulator lets users set initial position, velocity, and masses for up to 4 planets. It was designed to help students form deeper understanding of how a planet's orbit is affected by its mass, speed, and distance from its sun.

Link to Unit:

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Record Link

<a href="http://www.thephysicsfront.org/items/detail.cfm?ID=6093">Physics Education Technology Project. PhET Simulation: My Solar System. Boulder: Physics Education Technology Project, November 15, 2010.</a>

AIP Format

PhET Simulation: My Solar System (Physics Education Technology Project, Boulder, 2007), WWW Document, (http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/my-solar-system).

AJP/PRST-PER

PhET Simulation: My Solar System (Physics Education Technology Project, Boulder, 2007), <http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/my-solar-system>.

APA Format

PhET Simulation: My Solar System. (2010, November 15). Retrieved June 19, 2013, from Physics Education Technology Project: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/my-solar-system

Chicago Format

Physics Education Technology Project. PhET Simulation: My Solar System. Boulder: Physics Education Technology Project, November 15, 2010. http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/my-solar-system (accessed 19 June 2013).

MLA Format

PhET Simulation: My Solar System. Boulder: Physics Education Technology Project, 2007. 15 Nov. 2010. 19 June 2013 <http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/my-solar-system>.

BibTeX Export Format

@misc{ Title = {PhET Simulation: My Solar System}, Publisher = {Physics Education Technology Project}, Volume = {2013}, Number = {19 June 2013}, Month = {November 15, 2010}, Year = {2007} }

Refer Export Format

%T PhET Simulation: My Solar System
%D November 15, 2010
%I Physics Education Technology Project
%C Boulder
%U http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/my-solar-system
%O application/java

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source
%D November 15, 2010
%T PhET Simulation: My Solar System
%I Physics Education Technology Project
%V 2013
%N 19 June 2013
%8 November 15, 2010
%9 application/java
%U http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/my-solar-system

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Citation Source Information

The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation.

The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ.

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