Physics - Senior Secondary 2 - Gravitational Field

TERM: 2^ND TERM

WEEK: 6

Class: Senior Secondary School 2
Age: 16 years
Duration: 40 minutes for each of 5 periods
Date:
Subject: Physics
Topic: Gravitational Field
Subtopics:
• Gravitational force between two masses (Newton’s law of universal gravitation)
• “G” as a universal constant
• Gravitational potential
• Escape velocity

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define gravitational force and explain Newton’s law of universal gravitation.
2. Understand the concept of gravitational potential and escape velocity.
3. Calculate the gravitational force between two masses.

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES:
• Explanation
• Visual aids (charts and diagrams)
• Interactive discussion

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
• Chart showing Newton’s law of gravitation
• Physics textbook
• Whiteboard markers
• Diagram of escape velocity

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES
PERIOD 1-5

PRESENTATION
STEP 1: INTRODUCTION
• The teacher introduces the concept of gravitational force and its importance in the universe.
• Students will share their prior knowledge of gravity.

STEP 2: EXPLANATION
• The teacher explains Newton’s law of universal gravitation:

• F = G (m1 * m2) / r^2
  Where F is the gravitational force, G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses of two objects, and r is the distance between their centers.
  • The teacher explains gravitational potential and escape velocity.

STEP 3: DEMONSTRATION
• The teacher uses a chart showing the movement of planets and explains the concept of escape velocity.
• Students will calculate the gravitational force between two masses using sample values.

STEP 4: DISCUSSION
• Students will discuss the concept of escape velocity and how it relates to space travel.

STEP 5: NOTE TAKING
• The teacher will write a summary of Newton’s law of gravitation and escape velocity on the board.

NOTE
• Gravitational force is an attractive force between two masses.
• Newton’s law of gravitation provides the mathematical formula for calculating gravitational force.
• The gravitational constant “G” is 6.67 × 10^-11 N·m^2/kg^2.
• Gravitational potential refers to the potential energy of an object due to its position in a gravitational field.
• Escape velocity is the minimum velocity required for an object to escape a gravitational field.

EVALUATION

1. State Newton’s law of universal gravitation.
2. Calculate the gravitational force between two masses.
3. Explain the concept of escape velocity.

CLASSWORK:
• Solve problems involving gravitational force between two masses.

CONCLUSION:
• Review key concepts of gravitational force and escape velocity.
• Discuss the importance of gravitational theory in understanding planetary motion and space exploration.