Physics - Senior Secondary 2 - Gravitational Field

Gravitational Field

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TERM: 2ND TERM

WEEK: 7

Class: Senior Secondary School 2
Age: 16 years
Duration: 40 minutes for each of 5 periods
Date:
Subject: Physics
Topic: Gravitational Field
Subtopics:
• Solar system
• Kepler’s laws
• Natural and artificial satellites

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

  1. Understand the structure of the solar system.
  2. Explain Kepler’s laws of planetary motion.
  3. Differentiate between natural and artificial satellites.
  4. Understand the applications of satellites.
  5. Understand the gravitational forces within the solar system.

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES
• Explanation
• Demonstration
• Questions and answers
• Video clips on the solar system and satellite launches
• Group activity: Research on different types of satellites

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
• Diagram of the solar system
• Models of planets and satellites
• Videos on the solar system and satellite launches
• Whiteboard markers
• Physics textbook

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES
PERIOD 1-5

PRESENTATION

STEP 1: INTRODUCTION
• The teacher asks students about their knowledge of the solar system and its components.
• Students discuss what they know about planets, moons, and artificial satellites.

STEP 2: EXPLANATION
• The teacher explains the solar system and its structure.
• Introduction to Kepler’s laws:

  1. First Law: Planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus.
  2. Second Law: A line joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal intervals of time.
  3. Third Law: The square of the orbital period of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.
    The teacher explains the role of gravity in the movement of planets and satellites.

STEP 3: DEMONSTRATION
• The teacher shows a film on the launching of satellites into orbit.
• Students discuss the different types of satellites and their uses.
• The teacher demonstrates how Kepler’s laws relate to the motion of the planets.

STEP 4: NOTE TAKING
• The teacher writes summary notes on the board:

  • Solar system: consists of the Sun, eight planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
  • Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion.
  • Natural satellites are moons orbiting planets, while artificial satellites are man-made.

STEP 5: EVALUATION

  1. Define the solar system.
  2. List and explain Kepler’s laws.
  3. What are the differences between natural and artificial satellites?
  4. Give examples of applications of artificial satellites.

CLASSWORK
• Students to research the launch of a famous satellite and its purpose.
• Draw a diagram of the solar system.

CONCLUSION
• The teacher reviews the lesson and asks students to reflect on the importance of satellites in modern life.