Tide & Gravity Lab - Critical Speed

This is a set of four labs that teach the basic concepts of gravitational force, and how it relates to tides on the Earth. Today you will be completing the Critical Speed activity. Watch what happens as your spaceship approaches a neutron star! And learn about how planets and satellites stay in orbit.

Respond to the questions and post answers on your personal blog.

1. What is the speed the earth needs to achieve circular orbit around the sun? (critical speed)

2. What happens to the earth when the speed is greater than its critical speed?

3. What happens to the earth when the speed is less than its critical speed?

- Make sure to take a print screen of the project & also include on your blog.

Blog Scholarship

Fast Web has a blog scholarship which you might be interested in.

Blogging for Progress Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000

The Blogging for Progress Scholarship is available to students who are age 16 or older as of April 15, 2008, and will be attending a regionally or nationally accredited college, university or vocational school during the 2009 or 2010 calendar years. You must create a blog on the ProgressiveU website and write about current events, public policy, and issues affecting young people. Winners are based on total accumulated points as of April 15, 2008 with points awarded for each blog entry and comment accepted for posting to the website and for each read of a participants blog entries by members and visitors. Participants also have opportunities to earn bonus points towards the scholarship throughout the semester.